EU Court Upholds €13 Billion Apple Tax Repayment Order

The European Union's highest court rejected Apple's appeal against an order to repay 13 billion euros in back taxes to Ireland. This decision confirms the European Commission's 2016 ruling that Ireland provided unlawful state aid to Apple. The case, which started in 2016, incited strong reactions from Apple, including a statement by CEO Tim Cook labeling the decision as politically motivated.

The European Union's top court on Tuesday dismissed Apple's final legal challenge against an order from the bloc's executive commission to repay 13 billion euros in back taxes to Ireland, marking the conclusion of a prolonged legal battle.

The European Court of Justice invalidated a lower court's prior ruling, affirming that "the European Commission's 2016 decision is upheld, confirming that Ireland extended unlawful aid to Apple, which Ireland must now recover."

The case has sparked significant controversy since its inception in 2016, with Apple CEO Tim Cook denouncing the decision as "total political crap."

(With inputs from agencies.)