in what universe did they "avoid" taxes??? Ireland isn't smart(/independent) enough to determine its own tax rate? So you support higher taxes? I sure don't - I'm taxed ENOUGH!!
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European Commission Rules Apple Received Illegal State Aid From Ireland, Owes Billions in Back Taxes
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Yeah, it would actually be good for Apple if they had some fire pointed at their backside to get the intellectual juices going again. Of course, 2017 may be a hell of a year for Apple (in a good way) and we just need to have patience.
surprise surprise. apple is just as crooked as everyone else in the world.
while I am no socialist, if anyone should get tax relief is middle/low income people/individuals, not companies with through-the-stratosphere yearly earnings.
Never has "Spot the American" been such an easy game to play.
Guys. In Europe these fines always boil down to slap in the wrist.
It's maddening to watch how these things always play out the same way.
"uhhh, this corporation gonna get fined big time"
*several months and millions in taxpayers to attorney officers later*
EU comission: "Ok guys, you've been warned. Here, pay this €1000 fee and let this be a lesson to you!"
Ridiculous.
Guys. In Europe these fines always boil down to slap in the wrist.
It's maddening to watch how these things always play out the same way.
"uhhh, this corporation gonna get fined big time"
*several months and millions in taxpayers to attorney officers later*
EU comission: "Ok guys, you've been warned. Here, pay this €1000 fee and let this be a lesson to you!"
Ridiculous.
Hi, welcome to America, you must be new here.
Oh they will totally increase the "conversion rate" on Euro paying countries to help offset the legal fees/additional taxes. They will absorb it short term and recoup long-term. Good job EU.
Uh, this is a rule change, not a criminal act on the part of Apple.
I know it's hard to understand, but I'll put it in football terms. Before, a receiver could catch a ball with only one foot in-bounds. This is like the NFL saying "well, no, both feet have to be in-bounds for a catch" and then changing every game result to comply with that new rule.
Wait, what?... If a EU company tries to avoid our taxes we go after them - The EU can do the same. Knowing this country - The next thing that can happen is the IRS looking into how they can also get some money from Apple out of this.
We not starting a trade war with the EU over this.
The ones which are responsible are Apple and their shareholders if they are found guilty, and do you really think Apple will raise prices again by quite a bit in Europe, don't think so because more and more people think iPhones are getting too expensive in Europe, even more people will go somewhere else, read Samsung or others.
But that's just it, they are earnings. Consumers didn't have to give them their money but Apple created a superior product and earned the profit. While I agree "loopholes" should be closed, you need to be careful eliminating the incentive to innovate.
2% taxation is ridiculous. period
So, you think 2% is a fair tax for a company while I personally pay close to 40%?
Apple paid the tax the Irish Government asked of it
If anything it's the Irish Governments fault, but of course the EU just wants to get the money
I doubt any of us EU residents will see any benefit even if Apple paid the higher values
What I do see is Apple moving its base of operation, and Ireland loosing a lot of jobs
(I also suspect other businesses will do the same)
"going beyond acceptable enforcement of competition and state aid law and singling out U.S. companies"
Perhaps if US companies weren't trying to squeeze to the limits of legality the amount of tax they had to pay, the EU wouldn't have to go after them
Perhaps if US companies weren't trying to squeeze to the limits of legality the amount of tax they had to pay, the EU wouldn't have to go after them
Nope. Apple and others should pay the 12.5% corporate tax like normal companies in Ireland
This ultimately doesn't just affect Apple and Ireland - it affects all foreign companies doing business in Europe - and yes - companies will raise prices if their tax rates increase. These may be companies that we're talking about - but when profits decrease employees are affected as well. I'm surprised how many of you support higher taxes. ???????????
Apple should pay taxes in a country where they make profit/do business, now all they do is to go to just one country with 2% tax rate and avoid paying more tax in all other EU countries so I guess it's fair to say that Apple IS part of the problem.
Are you sure that Apple will want to exclude a region of half a billion people (that's more than the entire population of the US
No, not every company has the resources to actually take these loopholes...
Sure the appeal will take some time but Apple has little to nothing to win, and the longer it takes... the bigger the amount will be (interests and no reduction should that be possible).
The government tax rate of any EU country should comply with EU regulation. Ireland is not doing any different, but Apple took advantage of something Ireland offered and Ireland didn't do anything about it (because it was supposedly benefiting it as well...)
In general the EU legislation in fiscal and economical matters has priority over any national law of any EU member. That's what make the EU special.
Funny how it was a legal for years and now that Apple has a huge pile of cash, all these Gov't are running around trying to get their hands all over it. This is just a money grab for the bureaucrats and it will solve nothing.
Good. End corporate welfare. There is no reason why everyone else should subsidize f****** Apple.
Throw the book at them and send a message. Maybe companies will avoid using tax loopholes in the future.
Throw the book at them and send a message. Maybe companies will avoid using tax loopholes in the future.
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You know, buying your own finished product above/below cost from your own company isn't exactly creating superior products.
I love apple's products, but man are they geniuses at setting up legal ways to get around taxes. Frankly I have issues with the size of the company to begin with.
