Apple paid 40% of its global taxes to Ireland last fiscal year

Apple paid Ireland $17.1 billion in taxes last year, a figure representing approximately 40% of its worldwide tax contributions, according to a company filing. This filing detailed the iPhone maker's global tax liabilities on a country-by-country basis.

The amount paid to Ireland was described by Apple as "significantly higher" than accrued income taxes. It included €13 billion ($15.18 billion) in back taxes that the company was ordered to pay Ireland by the European Union's top court in 2024.

Ireland, alongside Apple, fought the EU's back-tax bill for eight years. The country sought to maintain its position as a preferred location for U.S. multinationals in Europe, attracted by the billions of euros in direct and indirect taxes they generate annually.

In 2016, the European Commission's then-competition chief, Margrethe Vestager, accused Ireland of granting Apple illegal tax benefits. She argued this unfairly diverted investment away from other countries. In total, Apple paid $43.2 billion in income taxes globally during the fiscal year that concluded in September 2025.