A report from Reuters claims that two sources within the Trump administration have filed with the European Union General Court to opposition the $14.8 billion mandate by the European Commission against Apple. One of the two sources claims the appeals court will heard the case in late 2018.
Last year the EU ruled that Apple must repay 13 billion euros ($14.5 billion) in back taxes dating back to 2003-2014. Europe’s anti-trust and consumer investigation agency claimed that Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands have attracted investment and jobs by helping big companies avoid tax in other countries, including EU members. Ireland Finance Minister Noonan said the country “disagrees profoundly” with the back tax ruling by the European Commission.
Tim Cook has branded the European Commission ruling “total political crap.” Apple’s CEO also suggested the “retroactive” tax bill was an attempt by the EU to grab taxes owed to the U.S. treasury and harmonize tax rates across the 28-nation bloc.
