Apple Must Pay $14 Billion In Unpaid Taxes, Top EU Court Rules

A day after Apple released its new iPhone 16 range, the European Union’s top court ruled that Apple must pay €13 billion ($14.3 billion) in back taxes to Ireland. The ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) marks the end of a decade-long legal dispute between the tech giant and the EU Commission. 

“The Court of Justice gives final judgment in the matter and confirms the European Commission’s 2016 decision: Ireland granted Apple unlawful aid which Ireland is required to recover,” said the court, as quoted by the BBC. The EU Commission had accused Ireland of giving Apple illegal tax advantages from 1991 to 2014. As a result, Ireland was ordered to recover the sum from the company. 

Apple reportedly said in a statement that it was “disappointed” with the ruling. “We always pay all the taxes we owe wherever we operate and there has never been a special deal," a company spokesperson said, according to Independent report. At the same time, in a separate ruling, the ECJ ruled in favor of the European Commission and upheld a $2.6 billion antitrust fine it imposed on Google.