Bardem on his 'tax fraud' fine: “It was an honest mistake and I paid it all off years ago”

Husband of Spain-to-Hollywood star Penélope Cruz and the 'baddie' of Skyfall, Bardem said he was 'shocked by the sensationalism' he saw in the media and reports claiming he had 'defrauded' the fiscal authorities.

“I sorted out these tax issues years ago and also paid the interest and the two fines for 'minor offence' involved,” says a perplexed Javier.

“It was a perfectly normal mistake – the criteria interpreted by Hacienda [Spain's tax office] and that of my accountants showed differences when it came to paying off certain aspects of my tax régime – and that's something that happens to thousands of taxpayers every year.

“I have no other desire in this respect but to continue complying with the law and my tax obligations as the rules provide for, and as I have always done ever since I started paying taxes at the beginning of my career.”

Bardem's solicitor, Mario Sol, stresses his client 'pays all his taxes' and has 'declared in Spain everything he has earnt since his career began'.

Sol says the actor has always 'accepted the tax authorities' interpretations' in the reviews it carried out of his declarations in 2006 and subsequent years.

“He has paid all instalments, all fines that the tax office required, and complied with his full duties in this respect,” the lawyer stresses.

The reports on Bardem's affairs came about after the Supreme Court announced he would have to pay fines to the tune of €150,491 for unpaid duties over two years for services he provided within his company, Pinguin Films, S.L.

Bardem had reportedly appealed against a High Court of Justice verdict ordering him to pay two sanctions, of €98,970 and €51,521, relating to his 2006 and 2007 tax declarations, but the Supreme Court upheld the decision.

Tax office fines for late payment or incorrect declarations are normal in Spain, and are usually proportional to the amount owed.

The unpaid sum, rather than the taxpayers' intention, determines whether this constitutes a criminal or civil offence – the former being considered as €120,000 or more – or a 'minor offence', as Bardem says was his case.