MADRID • The bootilicious singer has to share her booty from her career with the taxman in Spain, so Shakira has handed over more than €20 million (S$32.4 million).

She had been accused of not paying taxes despite residing in the country between 2011 and 2014.

Catalan daily El Periodico reported that the Colombian had paid the money "to settle part of the debt claimed by Spain's tax authorities", corresponding to what she allegedly owes for 2011.

The authorities filed a complaint with prosecutors in Barcelona accusing her of not paying taxes, sparking an investigation, Mr Jose Miguel Company, spokesman for the prosecutors' office, said.

The complaint covers the period from 2012 to 2014, as the timeframe to prosecute alleged tax offences in 2011 has expired.

In a relationship since 2011 with Barcelona football star - centre-back Gerard Pique, with whom she has two sons - the 41-year-old transferred her official residency to the Catalan city in 2015.

Until then, it was in the Bahamas.

But "that doesn't match reality, with the children in school in Barcelona and her partner here", Mr Company said, adding that prosecutors will decide in June whether to pursue the case.

Shakira's representatives said, until 2014, she earned most of her money from global tours and did not live more than six months a year in Spain - a prerequisite to be an official tax-paying resident.

With her mix of Latin and Arabic rhythms and rock influences, Shakira has sold more than 60 million records.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE