Ireland: EU orders Apple to repay $14.5bn in taxes

American technology company, Apple has been ordered to pay up to $14,500,000,000 in taxes to the Irish government.

The European Union’s competition authorities has ruled the tech giant must pay back the money, but Ireland says it doesn’t want it.

The EU says tax benefits offered by Ireland, which prompt companies to set up head offices there, amount to state aid.

Ireland argues it’s done nothing illegal, saying “profits from technology, design and marketing that are generated outside Ireland — cannot be charged with Irish tax, under Irish tax law.”

Apple accuses the EU of ignoring international and Irish tax law, saying it is scaring foreign investment out of Europe.

A Jazeera’s Laurence Lee reports.

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