Apple must pay 13B euros in back taxes, EU's top court rules (cnbc.com)

Article summary

The European Court of Justice has ruled that Apple must pay 13 billion euros in back taxes to Ireland, following a 10-year court battle. The case stems from a 2016 decision by the European Commission that Apple had received 'illegal' tax benefits from Ireland over two decades. Apple will incur a one-time income tax charge of about $10 billion in its fourth fiscal quarter. The ruling is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between US tech giants and the EU over taxation and antitrust issues.

Main themes

• EU tax policy
• Apple's tax affairs
• Ireland's economic development
• US-EU trade relations
• Corporate taxation
• Antitrust regulation

What commenters say

• Ireland's low-tax environment was a deliberate attempt to attract tech companies, but it has been deemed unfair by the EU.
• The EU's ruling is an overreach of its authority and ignores the fact that Apple's income was already subject to taxes in the US.
• The case highlights the need for a more unified and fair tax system across the EU to prevent a 'race to the bottom' between member states.
• Ireland's economic growth is largely due to its special relationship with the US and its attractive business environment, rather than EU support.
• The EU's decision will have significant implications for other US tech companies operating in the EU and may lead to further conflicts.
• The ruling is a victory for fairness and transparency in corporate taxation, and will help to ensure that companies pay their fair share of taxes.
• The issue is not just about taxation, but also about the cultural and legal differences between the US and EU that can lead to conflicts over issues like IP law and antitrust regulation.
• The EU's pursuit of Apple and other US tech companies is driven by a desire to protect its own economic interests and promote its own digital agenda.