EU Court Adviser Calls for Re-run of Apple’s €14.3B Irish Tax Judgement
EU Court Adviser Recommends Re-run of Apple’s €14.3B Irish Tax Judgement
In a surprising development, an adviser to the EU Court of Justice has called for a re-run of Apple’s €14.3 billion tax judgement in Ireland. Advocate General Giovanni Pitruzzella has stated that the earlier ruling in favor of Apple should be thrown out due to a series of legal errors.
Setback for Apple
This latest twist in one of the largest corporate tax fine cases in history has dealt a major blow to Apple. The tech giant has been embroiled in a seven-year dispute with the European Union over its tax arrangements in Ireland. The case revolves around allegations that Apple benefited from “sweetheart” deals that provided the company with favorable tax terms, giving it an unfair advantage over its competitors.
A Call for a New Assessment
Advocate General Giovanni Pitruzzella’s advisory opinion, though non-binding, carries weight in influencing the final judgement of the EU’s highest court. Pitruzzella has recommended that the General Court re-evaluate the case and conduct a new assessment. This could potentially overturn the previous ruling in Apple’s favor.
A Blow to Margrethe Vestager’s Campaign
The re-run of Apple’s tax judgement would be a significant setback for Margrethe Vestager, the EU watchdog chief. She has been leading a campaign against favorable tax arrangements provided to multinational companies by EU states. The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications for Vestager’s efforts to crack down on “sweetheart” deals and ensure fair competition.
The Road Ahead
The EU Court of Justice is expected to make its final decision on the case in the coming months. The re-assessment of Apple’s tax arrangements in Ireland could potentially have significant financial implications for the tech giant. It remains to be seen how this high-profile case will unfold and what it means for the future of multinational corporations and their tax practices in the European Union.