Shakira Acquitted on Tax Fraud as Court Orders for Singer to Be Reimbursed $70 Million

Shakira, who was accused of tax fraud, has been acquitted by Spain’s national court in relation to the 2011 tax year.

A press release issued Monday, May 18, stated that the national court has ordered the state to return 55 million euros (about $64 million) plus interest to the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer, 49.

A rep for Shakira told People that the Spanish government must now return a total of €60 million (about $70 million) to her because of the ruling.

The mother of two was accused of not paying taxes to the Spanish government in 2011; however, a person has to spend more than 183 days of the year in the country to be considered a resident who must pay taxes.

“In a ruling, the Fourth Section of the Administrative Court considers that the Administration has not proven that the singer remained in Spain for more than 183 days in 2011, as required by article 9.1 of Law 35/2006 in relation to the tax domicile that is determined when paying income tax,” the release stated.

Following the ruling, Shakira issued a statement, saying that the court had “finally set the record straight” after years of “enduring brutal public targeting, orchestrated campaigns to destroy my reputation, and sleepless nights that ultimately impacted my health and my family’s well-being,” per the BBC.

“There was never any fraud, and the Administration itself could never prove otherwise, simply because it wasn’t true,” she said. “Yet, for nearly a decade, I was treated as guilty. Every step of the process was leaked, distorted, and amplified, using my name and public image to send a threatening message to the rest of the taxpayers.”

“Today, that narrative crumbles, and it does so with the full force of a court ruling,” she added.

According to Reuters, the ruling does not affect tax years after 2011.