Pop star Shakira is acquitted in a Spanish tax fraud case

"The decision relates to a dispute over the 2011 tax year in which Spanish tax authorities did not prove that the singer was a resident of Spain, the Madrid-based court said in its decision. For a person to be considered a tax resident in Spain, she must spend more than 183 days in the country. Spanish authorities were only able to prove that Shakira lived in Spain that year for a total of 163 days, the court said."

"A Spanish court acquitted Shakira in a tax fraud case, ordering the government to return more than 55 million euros ($64 million) in wrongly imposed fines and interest, a court document seen Monday by The Associated Press said. The ruling follows years of tax troubles in Spain for the Colombian superstar."

"Spain's tax authorities have over the past decade or so cracked down on soccer stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for not paying their full due in taxes. Those players were found guilty of tax evasion but avoided prison time thanks to a provision that allows a judge to waive sentences under two years in length for first-time offenders."

A Spanish court acquitted Shakira in a tax fraud case and ordered the government to return more than 55 million euros in wrongly imposed fines and interest. The ruling concerned the 2011 tax year and a dispute over whether she was a resident of Spain. Spanish tax residency requires spending more than 183 days in Spain. The court found that tax authorities proved she lived in Spain for only 163 days that year. The decision follows years of tax troubles in Spain for the Colombian singer. Spain has previously targeted high-profile athletes, including soccer stars, for tax issues, with some avoiding prison time through sentencing provisions for first-time offenders.

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