Spanish court orders 55 mn euro tax refund to Shakira

BSS
Published On: 18 May 2026, 15:31

MADRID, May 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A Spanish court has ordered the tax authority to refund Colombian pop star Shakira more than 55 million euros ($64 million) improperly collected in a dispute over her 2011 taxes, according to a ruling seen Monday.

The National Audience said tax authorities had failed to prove that the "Hips Don't Lie" singer spent more than 183 days in Spain in 2011, the legal threshold requiring residents to pay personal income tax in the country.

"On the contrary, the court found that Shakira spent 163 days in Spain and that the tax authorities had therefore failed to prove that the singer had the centre of her economic interests in Spain," according to the ruling issued last month which was seen by AFP on Monday.

The court ordered "the reimbursement of the sums paid, together with legal interest", cancelling the tax assessments and multi-million-euro fines imposed by the tax authorities, which had considered the singer a tax resident in Spain in 2011.

The ruling comes as Shakira is set to wrap up her record-breaking "Women Don't Cry Anymore" world tour with a concert residency in Madrid starting in September.

  • Latest
  • Most Viewed
Mbappe ready for 'special' 100th cap for France at World Cup
No pressure to pass to Portugal star Ronaldo: Conceicao
Iran coach hails 'great achievement' after second World Cup draw
In Turkey's 'house of photos', the world as seen through the lens of children
Russian strike on cargo ship kills one: Ukraine deputy PM
Australia says checking for more H5 bird flu infections
South Korea ex-minister gets 25 years for role in martial law disaster: Yonhap
PM urges Malaysia to open labour market, hire more Bangladeshi workers 
Rare Philippine school shooting kills three teens
Ageless Messi has World Cup scoring record in his sights
১০