‘Zootopia – Try Everything’s’ Shakira Tries Tax Fraud

Colombian singer-songwriter and massive superstar Shakira achieved international fame with her unique blend of pop, rock, and Latin music and rose to prominence in the late 1990s. Some of her biggest hits include “Whenever, Wherever” and “Hips Don’t Lie.” She currently resides in a Miami, Florida, home but is facing two separate accusations of tax fraud in Spanish court.

The Latin artist may soon be known for more than her distinctive voice and energetic dance performances because prosecutors in Barcelona are currently investigating her for two alleged counts of tax fraud and claim there is enough evidence for a trial.

Credit: Shakira/ Instagram

Shakira allegedly evaded payments on taxes amounting to millions of euros between 2012 and 2014, by claiming that she resided in the Bahamas when she was actually living in Spain. The investigation focused on whether she met the criteria for being considered a tax resident in Spain during those years. Shakira and her legal team denied the allegations, stating that she had paid all her taxes as required.

They argued that she was a legal resident of the Bahamas during the relevant period as she had spent less than six months in Spain each year, which made her liable for paying taxes only on her Spanish income, not her worldwide income. In July 2019, Shakira reached a settlement with Spanish tax authorities to resolve the tax dispute by paying the owed taxes and any associated fines. The settlement allowed her to avoid a trial and potential legal consequences.

Credit: Disney

However, this second accusation makes things a bit more serious as a trial seems imminent. Shakira maintains that she has acted in accordance with Spanish tax regulations and had no intention of committing any wrongdoing. CNN quotes the Grammy Award winner’s PR team insisting that Shakira has “always acted in compliance with the law and under the guidance of the best tax experts.”

Credit: Disney

Disney fans know Shakira best through her part in the company’s 2016 animated film, Zootopia. In the movie, she voiced the character Gazelle, a famous pop star in the animal world. Shakira not only provided voice acting but also performed on the film’s soundtrack, singing the hit song “Try Everything.” Shakira’s contributions to Zootopia added to the film’s success and further established her as a versatile artist in both the music and film industries.

CNN expects the case to determine if Shakira and her financial adviser “used a series of companies in off-shore tax havens to attempt to hide the sources of her income.”