In testimony before a panel of European Union lawmakers, Apple argued that it pays all the taxes it owes in Ireland and doesn’t get unfair tax breaks there compared to other companies, Bloomberg reports. The company’s tax deal with Ireland has been under EU investigation since June 2014, over claims that the special arrangements “constituted illegal state support for the companies.” Cathy Kearney, a vice-president of the iPhone maker’s European operations in Cork, Ireland, said, “We feel that we’ve paid every cent of tax that is due in Ireland.
We don’t feel that there has been state aid involved and I suppose we look forward to that outcome happening at the end of the day and being vindicated in that way. I would say that the Irish government also agrees with that view.”
EU Competition Chief Margrethe Vestager has refused to put a timeline on when the issue will be decided, but Apple could owe as much as $8 billion in back taxes if the judgment doesn’t go its way.
However things turn out, Kearney said the company will remain “committed to Ireland.” Apple recently added 1,000 new jobs at its office in Cork, Ireland.
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