Spanish court orders tax authority to repay Shakira $64 million over wrongful fines

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MADRID: A Spanish court has ordered the national tax authority to repay Colombian superstar Shakira more than 55 million euros ($64 million) after ruling that officials had mistakenly pursued her for unpaid taxes.

The Audiencia Nacional high court in Madrid announced on Monday that tax officials had unlawfully imposed massive fines on the singer in 2021. The regulatory agency had originally argued that Shakira spent more than 183 days in Spain during the 2011 fiscal year, making her a resident liable for personal income tax. However, judicial review proved she was only present in the country for 163 days, falling short of the legal residency threshold.

The landmark ruling completely cancels the multimillion-euro penalties and mandates the Treasury to return all improperly collected amounts plus legal interest. Shakira heavily praised the decision, condemning what she described as an eight-year, orchestrated campaign by administrative practices that targeted her public image. The High Court emphasized that the acquittal applies exclusively to 2011 and does not impact her separate 2023 tax settlement.