Q24N — Shakira obtained a favorable ruling from Spain’s National Court in her latest case against the Spanish Tax Agency.
The ruling concluded that the artist did not reside in Spain for 183 days during 2011, a requirement used by the tax authorities in the proceedings.
The court stated that “the resulting penalties are unlawful,” according to the ruling issued by the National Court.
The ruling also determined that the companies linked to the singer were legitimate and dismissed any suggestion of sham business practices.
The ruling also orders the repayment of 60 million euros withheld by the Spanish Tax Agency, along with interest and legal costs, the Court finding that the accusation lacked merit.
“This ruling comes after an eight-year ordeal,” stated José Luis Prada, managing partner of Prada Tax Advisors and the artist’s lawyer.
Prada stated that the process represented “an unacceptable ordeal” and emphasized the rigor and independence of the Spanish courts.
“After more than eight years of enduring brutal public scrutiny, the National Court has finally set things right,” Shakira said.
The singer asserted that “there was never any fraud” and affirmed that tax authorities never managed to prove otherwise.