Shakira has reached a settlement in her Spanish tax fraud case, stating she did so “with the best interest of my kids at heart.”
Her hips don’t lie, but her tax filings apparently do.
This action, per the singer herself, clearly shows the lengths to which the singer is willing to go to ensure the stability and security of her children’s future.
She’s had her day in court.
The Hips Don’t Lie chart-topper found herself in a rather discomforting situation when she was accused of tax fraud by Spanish authorities.
She agreed to settle the matter.
The case alleged that the Colombian hitmaker had avoided paying taxes in Spain despite living there, a claim she initially disputed. The tax fraud case could have resulted in a substantial fine or even jail time, casting a shadow over the vibrant persona of the artist.
Shakira will pay a fee on top of the taxes she’s accused of not paying.
However, Shakira has chosen to prioritize her family above all else. The settlement of the tax fraud case goes to show her determination to protect her kids from any potential fallout, particularly since she’s now a single-raising mom of two boys.
She says she did it for the sake of her kids.
Shakira’s decision to settle brings a sense of closure to an issue that has been a media highlight for well over a year now.
Shakira continues to maintain her innocence.
She said in a statement, “While I was determined to defend my innocence in a trial that my lawyers were confident would have ruled in my favor, I have made the decision to finally resolve this matter with the best interest of my kids at heart who do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight.”
She chose to settle not to stress her children seeing their mom go to court.
“I need to move past the stress and emotional toll of the last several years and focus on the things I love — my kids and all the opportunities to come in my career, including my upcoming world tour and my new album, both of which I am extremely excited about,” Shakira continued.
Shakira is reportedly worth $300 million.
Shakira has received a three-year suspended sentence to pay up to $8 million on top of the unpaid taxes, as well as another fine of $472,000 for having the prison sentence waived.
The trial lasted less than 10 minutes in court.
“I admire tremendously those who have fought these injustices to the end, but for me, today, winning is getting my time back for my kids and my career.”
Does settling make her guilty?
The settlement also sends out a clear message about the importance of meeting civic responsibilities.
Celebrities have to be held accountable.
Despite her global fame, Shakira isn’t exempt from the laws of the land. Her willingness to settle shows her acknowledgment of this fact. It’s a lesson in accountability, showing that no matter who you are, compliance with tax laws is not optional.
Is she guilty or not?
For fans worldwide, this news might be met with mixed emotions.
While it’s comforting to know that Shakira has settled her legal troubles, it also reminds other famous peope that celebrities are not immune from legal scrutiny.
Shakira can move on with her life in peace.
However, it is Shakira’s unwavering commitment to her family that stands out most in this whole scenario. Her decision to settle the tax fraud case, she says, was driven by a desire to shield her kids – a sentiment many parents can undoubtedly relate to.
Tax laws have to be followed by everyone.
The settlement of her Spanish tax fraud case is a step taken “with the best interest of her kids at heart.” At the same time, it sheds particular importance on abiding by tax laws, regardless of fame or status.
Getting back to working music.
As the dust settles on this chapter of her life, Shakira can now focus on what she does best – creating music that touches the hearts of millions.
Shakira has since relocated to Miami.
The case emerged when Shakira was accused of not paying 14.5 million Euros in taxes to the Spanish government between 2012 and 2014.
Putting things behind her.
The crux of the issue was her official place of residence during these years. Spanish tax law stipulates that if an individual spends more than 183 days in Spain, they are considered a fiscal resident and, thus, liable to pay taxes on their worldwide income.
Starting a new beginning.
Shakira claimed that during these years, she was not a resident of Spain but predominantly lived in the Bahamas.
In contrast, the prosecution argued that Shakira spent most of her time in Spain during these years, living with her partner, ex-FC Barcelona soccer star Gerard Pique, and their children.
Shakira moved the kids to Miami after her breakup.
They presented evidence including her children’s enrollment in Barcelona schools and her participation in a local Christmas charity event to substantiate their claims.
Cheating allegations surfaced soon after their split.
The news of Shakira splitting with Gerard Pique has left many hearts broken. The dynamic duo, who share two children together, seemed to have it all.
The pair were never married.
Yet, like many couples in the limelight, they found themselves faced with challenges that eventually led to their speculated split.
The pair had been together for about a decade.
So, why did Shakira split with Gerard Pique? While both Shakira and Pique continue to remain tight-lipped about the specifics, there are a few hypotheses floating around. She later hinted that Pique allegedly cheated with the woman he is seeing now: Clara Chia Martí. Apparently, she had been in the soccer player’s life long before he had gone his separate ways with Shakira.
Shakira’s split came as a shock to fans.
Some believe that the pressure of maintaining a relationship in the public eye may have also taken a toll on them. Others speculate that the couple’s hectic work schedules might have created a distance between them.
They both had busy schedules and were often apart.
Shakira is known for her extensive touring schedules and commitment to her music career. On the other hand, Gerard Pique, a former professional footballer, has his own set of commitments and demanding schedules. This clash of careers could potentially have led to a lack of quality time together, causing strains in their relationship.