European Commission to challenge Apple tax bill verdict

The EU's Margrethe Vestager says the appeal will go before the European Court of Justice

The European Commission plans to appeal against a ruling that Apple does not have to pay 13bn euros (£11.6bn) in back taxes to Ireland.

The EU's General Court had ruled in July there was no evidence Apple had broken any rules on tax paid there.

Ireland never disputed the arrangement but the European Commission, which brought the case, argued it enabled Apple to avoid taxes on EU revenues.

The EU said paying the correct amount of tax was "a top priority".

In 2016, a court ruled that Apple had indeed been given illegal tax breaks by Dublin - but this was overturned in July 2020.

• Apple has €13bn Irish tax bill overturned

The European Commission claimed Ireland had allowed Apple to attribute nearly all its EU earnings to an Irish head office that existed only on paper, thereby avoiding paying tax on EU revenues.

Ireland has always said Apple's tax bill was in line with its regulations.

EU executive vice-president and competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager, said in a statement: "If member states give certain multinational companies tax advantages not available to their rivals, this harms fair competition in the European Union in breach of state aid rules.

"We need to continue our efforts to put in place the right legislation to address loopholes and ensure transparency."

A new appeal will now go before a higher court, the European Court of Justice.