International music star Shakira faces tax evasion charges for a second time in Spain, according to news reports, after the “Queen of Latin music” allegedly failed to pay 6.7 million euros ($7.1 million) in taxes on her 2018 income.
The Colombian singer allegedly used an offshore company to dodge the taxes, authorities told news outlets, who added that the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer currently lives in Miami.
Her legal team reportedly told Fox News Digital, “No notification has been received in Miami, the singer’s official address, about the lawsuit in relation to the 2018 financial year. Shakira’s legal team is focused on preparing for the trial regarding the 2012-2014 financial years, which will begin on 20 November.”
The pop star also reportedly faces previous charges of tax evasion: Spanish prosecutors have said she lived in Barcelona for more than half of the time between 2012 and 2014 and racked up a tax bill of $15.4 million. Shakira has maintained that her official residence was in the Bahamas, meaning she did not owe the Spanish government those taxes.
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“Shakira has always cooperated and abided by the law, demonstrating impeccable conduct as an individual and a taxpayer, and faithfully following the counsel of PricewaterhouseCoopers, a prestigious and globally recognized tax firm,” representatives for the singer previously told Fox News Digital, news outlets said.
Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, heads to court in November, reports said, and prosecutors have requested she be sentenced to eight years and two months, in addition to facing a fine of roughly $25 million.
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