September 10, 2024 – The European Union’s highest court has recently ruled against Apple in a tax dispute case involving 13 billion euros, brought by the Irish government.
In response to the verdict, Apple expressed disappointment, stating that EU regulators are attempting to retroactively change the rules.
This dispute originated in August 2016, when the European Commission determined that Apple had benefited from unfair tax breaks in Ireland, resulting in illegal tax evasion of nearly 13.1 billion euros. The commission ordered Apple to repay this amount to the Irish government. Both Apple and the Irish government appealed the decision.
Initially, Apple was scheduled to pay the back taxes to the Irish government in January 2017. However, due to the appeals filed by both parties and the absence of a special account to hold the funds in Ireland, the matter was delayed.
While awaiting the appeal outcome, Apple gradually deposited the entire amount into an escrow account established by the Irish government. The Irish government, however, did not utilize the funds, pending the resolution of the appeal case. Now, with the recent court ruling, the Irish government can finally accept the funds.
