Shakira ‘faces eight years in jail’ after being ordered to stand trial for tax fraud allegations

‘Hips Don’t Lie’ singer is accused of evading payment of £13m

Shakira is facing up to eight years in jail after being ordered to stand trial amid allegations of tax fraud.

The 45-year-old Colombian singer has been accused of not paying taxes in Spain between 2012 and 2014, and six prosecutors have convinced a Spanish court to bring the singer to trial.

In 2021, allegatios surfaced when she was accused of using shell companies to conceal control of assets. She was also accused of putting her name on forms only in countries considered tax havens.

In total, the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer is alleged to have evaded €14.5m (£13m) in tax.

Shakira has called all allegations against her “false,” adding that she has paid everything that she owed to the government.

She claimed that between 2012 and 2014, her fiscal residence was in the Bahamas so she was exempt from having to pay Spanish income tax.

The singer also maintained she was in Spain “sporadically” during that time, but prosecutors argued that she was actually living in Barcelona for more than six months of the year.

If she is found guilty, the singer could face up to eight years in prison.

Shakira has denied all allegations of tax fraud (Getty Images)

Shakira made her recording debut aged 13, and found international fame with her fifth album, Laundry Service, in 2001. It featured the singles “Whenever, Wherever” and “Underneath Your Clothes”.

Since then, she’s performed the 2010 official World Cup song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", served as a coach on two seasons of The Voice in the US and performed the Super Bowl halftime show alongside Jennifer Lopez.