Why Ireland Doesn’t Want Apple’s $14.5 Billion in Back Taxes
- World’s richest company ordered to pay Irish record amount
- Ireland seeks to protect its corporate tax reputation
EU: Apple's Tax Benefits in Ireland Are Illegal
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Apple’s billions in back taxes could cover the entire annual Irish health budget, build about 100,000 homes for the poor or pay off a chunk of the nation’s debt. So why doesn’t the government want the money?
Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan on Tuesday vowed to fight a European Commission ruling that could force the world’s richest company to pay it at least 13 billion euros ($14.5 billion), more than twice the country’s entire 2015 corporate tax take and equivalent to about $3,000 for every man, woman and child. He drew fire from opposition lawmakers who say Dublin should take the money. For the government, though, the stakes are higher.