Spanish tax authorities are set to return more than $60 million to Colombian singer Shakira following a settlement reached in her tax fraud case, according to reports from Spanish media on May 19, 2026. The agreement resolves a long-running dispute over her tax residency between 2012 and 2014.
Shakira, 49, had been accused of failing to pay €14.5 million in taxes to Spain during those years. In November 2023, she accepted a deal with prosecutors, avoiding a trial and agreeing to pay a fine of €7.8 million. However, recent developments indicate that the tax agency will now refund a significant portion of the amounts seized, totaling over $60 million.
The refund stems from a legal review that found errors in the initial tax assessments, leading to the return of funds that were improperly claimed. The singer's legal team confirmed the resolution, stating that all outstanding issues have been settled amicably.
Shakira, who lived in Barcelona with her former partner Gerard Piqué, has maintained that she was not a tax resident in Spain during the disputed period. The case has drawn widespread attention, highlighting the complexities of international tax law for high-profile individuals.
