Since allegations were revealed in 2018, the Hips Don’t Lie vocalist has claimed she did not reside in Spain at the time of the alleged fraud and denied any wrongdoing.
Shakira is scheduled to stand trial for tax fraud after a court in Spain allowed the proceedings against the music superstar.
Prosecutors accuse the Colombian singer of neglecting to pay 14.5 million euros (13 million pounds) in taxes on earnings between 2012 and 2014.
Since claims were raised in 2018, the Hips Don’t Lie songstress has claimed she did not reside in Spain at the time and denies any misconduct.
The 45-year-old woman has rejected a settlement with authorities to avoid trial, citing that she has already paid all of her debts and an additional three million euros (£2.6 million) in interest.
Her representative stated that she is “sure that her innocence will be confirmed after the legal process.”
However, if Shakira is found guilty of tax evasion, she may be sentenced to eight years in prison and fined 24 million euros (£20.2 million).
The trial date has yet to be determined.
What is Shakira specifically accused of?
Prosecutors in Barcelona allege that the Grammy winner spent more than fifty percent of her time in Spain between 2012 and 2014 and should have paid taxes in the nation, despite her legal Bahamas domicile.
Shakira maintains that she had a legal residency in the Bahamas at the time and did not spend the required 183 days in Spain to be designated a tax resident.
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, has been linked to Spain since she began dating Gerard Pique.
The couple, who have two children, lived in Barcelona until June when they broke their partnership.
“Yet another case without merit”
Shakira’s representative stated, “Shakira has always cooperated and complied with the law, exhibiting excellent behavior as an individual and taxpayer, and dutifully following the advice of PriceWaterhouse Coopers, a reputable and internationally renowned tax firm.
“Unfortunately, the Spanish Tax Office, which loses one in every two cases with its taxpayers, continues to violate her rights and pursue yet another meritless action.”
Over the past decade, Spain has pushed down on footballers such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for not paying their full tax obligations.
Both defendants were convicted guilty of evasion and got suspended prison terms for first-time offenders.
