Shakira Tax Fraud Case Update: Colombian Pop Star to Face Trial in Spain

Colombian pop star Shakira is facing tax fraud charges in Spain, and a Spanish judge approved a trial for the case on Tuesday.

According to the Associated Press, the court in Esplugues de Llobregat town near Barcelona said Shakira will face six counts of tax fraud, but the trial date has not yet been set.

BBC reported that Spanish prosecutors wanted the Colombian superstar to go to jail for eight years and fine her 23.8 million euros ($22.7 million) if she is found guilty.

Shakira Chooses Trial Instead of Agreement With Spain Authorities Over Tax Issue

The 45-year-old "Hips Don't Lie" singer had opted to go on a trial for tax fraud instead of accepting the deal offered by the Barcelona prosecutor's office. Shakira wanted to go to trial instead of settling the allegations that she defrauded Spain's government of $14.7 million in taxes.

The Colombian pop star has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. In a recent interview with the Spanish edition of Elle magazine, Shakira said she was confident that she had enough proof to support her case and that justice will prevail in her favor. In a statement, her legal team said they will be presenting their arguments at the appropriate time.

Shakira Tax Fraud Case: Why She Owes Spain Money

In 2018, Spain's tax agency charged Shakira with failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($14.7 million) in taxes on income earned between 2012 and 2014. The singer's public relations firm said Shakira has already paid all she owed plus an additional 3 million euros ($2.8 million) in interest to fix her tax situation.

Spanish authorities argued in their lawsuit that Shakira had been resident in Spain since 2012. But Shakira's legal team said she was a resident in the Bahamas, where she owns a property, and the Colombian pop star's presence in Spain was "sporadic" until 2015.

Thus, her legal team noted that Shakira was not obliged to pay income tax in Spain. But some reports said that despite being listed as a Bahamas resident, Shakira was living with Spanish football star Gerard Pique in Barcelona at that time.

The two have recently split up, ending their 11-year relationship. To add to her legal woes, Shakira and Pique reportedly have a complicated custody battle over their two children, according to The International News.

Pique is reportedly not interested in compromising in their custody battle. The pair broke up because of rumors that Pique cheated on Shakira. Spain has been cracking down on foreign celebrities residing in Spain. The Spanish Tax Office had also gone after Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi and Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Reports said the two were found guilty of tax evasion because they did not pay their full due taxes. However, both soccer stars avoided prison time due to a provision that allows a judge to waive sentences below two years in length for first-time offenders.

READ MORE: Shakira Could Be Jailed for up to 6 Years if She Does Not Reach an Agreement With Barcelona's Tax Officials

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Shakira Speaks Publicly About Tax Fraud Case - From GMA