Shakira Wins £50m Tax Refund from Spanish Government After Court Ruling

Colombian music superstar Shakira has won a major legal victory after a Spanish court ordered the country’s tax authority to refund her more than €55 million (around £50 million), following a long-running dispute over her 2011 tax status.

The ruling from Spain’s High Court found that tax authorities failed to prove that Shakira was a tax resident in Spain in 2011, meaning she did not meet the legal requirement of spending more than 183 days in the country that year. As a result, the court annulled earlier tax assessments and penalties imposed on her.

According to court documents, the decision overturns millions of euros in fines and interest previously charged by Spain’s tax agency, which will now be required to reimburse the singer for the amounts wrongly collected.

The court also ruled that Shakira did not have sufficient economic or personal ties to Spain during the period in question, noting that she was frequently abroad on tour and did not maintain the level of presence required to trigger tax residency obligations.

While the ruling marks a significant win for the singer, Spanish tax authorities are expected to appeal the decision to the country’s Supreme Court, meaning the final outcome is still not fully settled.

The case is separate from Shakira’s earlier tax dispute involving income earned between 2012 and 2014, which she resolved in 2023 through a settlement agreement and payment of a reduced fine.

Shakira has previously maintained that she acted lawfully throughout her tax affairs and has criticized the prolonged legal battle, saying it caused significant personal and professional strain.