AceShowbiz - Shakira has been acquitted by Spain's National Court in a lengthy tax fraud case, ending an eight-year legal dispute and securing the return of 60 million euros ($69 million) withheld by Spanish tax authorities.

The court’s decision, confirmed on May 18, determined that Shakira did not meet the minimum residency requirement to be taxed in Spain during 2011, the year at the center of the investigation. This ruling dismantled the tax agency’s claims that the Colombian singer was a Spanish tax resident that year.

The case focused on whether Shakira was obligated to pay taxes on income earned during her 2011 world tour, when she performed 120 concerts across 37 countries. Spanish tax authorities argued that she had spent enough time in Spain to qualify as a resident for tax purposes. However, the court rejected this assertion, concluding that she did not spend sufficient time in Spain to be taxed there.

In addition to dismissing the residency claim, the court ruled that Spain was not the main hub of Shakira’s economic activities during that period. It ordered the government to return the 60 million euros it had withheld, plus interest and legal fees.

In a statement following the verdict, Shakira expressed relief after years of intense scrutiny. She said, "After more than eight years enduring brutal public accusations and sleepless nights that took a toll on my health and my family's well-being, the National Court has finally set the record straight." She emphasized, "There was never any fraud, and the Administration itself was never able to prove otherwise."

Shakira’s lawyer, José Luis Prada, described the ruling as the conclusion of “an eight-year ordeal.” He highlighted that Shakira had the strength and resources to fight the case, acknowledging that many taxpayers facing similar audits lack such means to defend themselves.

The singer hopes this verdict will serve as a precedent for others dealing with tax disputes against Spain’s Tax Agency.

This is not the only tax-related legal matter involving Shakira in Spain. In November 2023, she reached a separate agreement with Spanish authorities concerning tax issues from 2012 to 2014. During that time, she lived in Barcelona with her then-partner Gerard Piqué. For that case, Shakira admitted to six charges of unpaid taxes, received a suspended three-year sentence, and paid a $7.6 million fine.

The timing of this ruling coincides with Shakira’s ongoing Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, as she prepares to conclude its European leg with 12 scheduled shows in October at the specially constructed “Shakira Stadium” in Madrid.

This legal victory also aligns with some of the most high-profile moments in Shakira’s recent career, including her performance for 2.5 million people at Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana and her upcoming halftime show at the FIFA World Cup 2026 final alongside BTS and Madonna.

With this chapter closed, Shakira can now focus fully on her music and live performances as she continues to captivate audiences worldwide.