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Spanish Prosecutors to Seek 98-Month Prison Term for Shakira

By: William Hoke

 

Spanish prosecutors told a Barcelona court they will seek a 98-month prison term and a hefty fine if Colombian pop singer Shakira Mebarak is found guilty of tax evasion.

 

In 2018 prosecutors indicted the singer, who is known by her first name, for tax fraud, alleging that she claimed to be a resident of the Bahamas when she was actually residing in Spain from 2012 through 2014. On July 27 Shakira’s lawyers rejected a plea deal offered by prosecutors that would have let her avoid trial on charges of evading €14.5 million in taxes. The deal reportedly would have required Shakira to plead guilty to tax fraud in exchange for a prison sentence of no more than two years. Under Spanish law, first-time offenders normally receive probation for sentences of shorter durations.


On July 29 the prosecutor’s office told the court that it will seek a prison term of eight years and two months and a fine of €23.7 million if Shakira is convicted.

 

The singer has denied the charges, saying that she earned most of her income from international tours before taking up Spanish residency in 2015.


Read the previous report on this case here.

Read more on this story here.

Company Tax Notes
Category FREE CONTENT;ARTICLE / WHITEPAPER
Intended Audience CPA - small firm
CPA - medium firm
CPA - large firm
Published Date 07/29/2022

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Tax Notes is the first source of essential daily news, analysis, and commentary for tax professionals whose success depends on being trusted for their expertise.

Tax Notes is a portfolio of publications offered by Tax Analysts, a nonprofit tax publisher. It provides comprehensive and impartial coverage of tax news, while its commentary contributes important voices to the discussion and understanding of tax policy.

Founded in 1970, Tax Analysts was created to foster free, open, and informed discussion about taxation. In 1972 Tax Analysts published Tax Notes Federal, its first weekly journal, featuring news, commentary, and analysis on federal taxation. In 1989 Tax Analysts added Tax Notes International, a weekly magazine focused on international taxation. Tax Notes State rounded out the weekly portfolio in 1991. Each magazine offers best-in-class tax commentary and analysis on the latest changes in tax law and policy, as well as on court opinions, legislative action, and revenue rulings.

Tax Notes has continued to innovate through the years, adding the online daily news services Tax Notes Today FederalTax Notes Today International, and Tax Notes Today State between 1987 and 1991. Tax Notes also provides several research and reference tools, as well as specialized services focusing on exempt organizations, state tax audit guidance, and international tax treaties.