The European Union’s top court has rejected Apple’s final legal challenge against an order from the bloc’s executive commission to repay 13 billion euros ($14.34 billion) in back taxes to Ireland, bringing an end to the long-running dispute.

Apple on Tuesday lost its last bid to avoid paying 13 billion euros ($14.34 billion) in back taxes to Ireland, in a finale to a dispute with the European Union that centered on sweetheart deals that Dublin was offering to attract multinational businesses with minimal taxes across the 27-nation bloc. The final decision by the EU’s top court was quickly hailed as a landmark victory over corporate greed.

“Today is a big win for European citizens and for tax justice,” said European antitrust Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, whose 8-year fight to impose the measure on the global tech behemoth brought her to tears when she finally heard she had won.

The ruling “confirms the European Commission’s 2016 decision: Ireland granted Apple unlawful aid which Ireland is required to recover,” the European Court of Justice said in a press release summarizing its decision.

  • Mereo@lemmy.caEnglish
    271·
    2 months ago

    “Member states cannot continue the race to the bottom corporate tax policies that undermine European unity and social cohesion. Big tech companies like Apple should not be able to exploit their market power and avoid paying their fair share to society,” said EU MEP Kira Peter-Hansen.

    Good.