The 'Can't Remember to Forget You' songstress is facing eight years in prison if convicted after she rejected a settlement offer from the prosecutors' office to close the case.
- Jul 30, 2022
AceShowbiz - Shakira believes she owes Spain nothing. The "Can't Remember to Forget You" singer has insisted that she's innocent in her unpaid taxes case though prosecutors are seeking an eight-year prison sentence for her.
In a statement to PEOPLE, a representative for the Colombian artist declared that she is "confident in her innocence." The rep added, "Shakira has always cooperated and abided by the law, demonstrating impeccable conduct as an individual and a taxpayer, and faithfully following the counsel of PriceWaterhouse Coopers, a prestigious and globally recognized tax firm."
"Unfortunately, the Spanish Tax Office, which loses one out of every two lawsuits with its taxpayers, continues to violate her rights and pursue yet another baseless case, the statement continued. "Shakira is confident that her innocence will be proven by the end of the judicial process."
Shakira has been accused of failing to pay 14.5 million euros in taxes from 2012 to 2014. However, the mother of two claimed she was based in the Bahamas at the time.
Still, prosecutors insisted that she was living in the European country with her now-ex, Gerard Pique, and she was only going overseas for professional reasons. Under Spanish law, people who spend more than six months a year in the country are required to pay their taxes in Spain. The authorities calculated the unpaid tax bill from all of her global income, rather than what she just earned in Spain.
In May, a Spanish court dismissed Shakira's appeal in the case, noting that she was "a habitual resident in Spain" and there wasn't enough evidence to prove she lived elsewhere. The court went on to uphold a ruling from July 2021, when a judge ruled a three-year investigation had determined there was "sufficient evidence of criminality."
Earlier this week, the "Waka Waka" songstress rejected a settlement offer from the prosecutors' office to close the case. According to Reuters, the Queen of Latin Music opted to go to trial instead, though a date has not been set.
