
Apple doesn't want to talk taxes, at least not publicly, at an EU special committee hearing.
Emmanuel Dunand / AFP/Getty ImagesApple has turned down an invite to testify before a European Parliament special committee on tax evasion, saying it doesn't want to prejudice its appeal of an EU ruling that the iPhone maker must pay almost $15 billion in back taxes to Ireland.
Sven Giegold, a member of the European Parliament from Germany, released Apple's letter to the special committee on Twitter on Friday.
This is rotten! #Apple refuses to testify before the special committee on tax evasion of the European Parliament. No company stands above democracy! We should now withdraw Apple's lobby badges to access to the Parliament! This is the company's letter: pic.twitter.com/U2I4G6jNp9
— Sven Giegold (@sven_giegold) June 1, 2018
In 2016, the EU ordered the Apple to pay almost $15 billion in back taxes to Ireland. The EU believes Ireland hasn't been collecting enough taxes and instead has been giving companies like Apple too big of a break on its already low 12.5 percent tax rate. Both Apple and Ireland are appealing the EU fine.
In the letter to the special committee, Apple offers to speak with Parliament members privately.
Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Facebook wants to show it's a force for good amid scandals: The social network updates its tools for blood donations, nonprofits and mentorships.
Everything you need to know about the Qualcomm-FTC lawsuit: The antitrust case could decide how smartphones get made in the future -- and what they cost.
Apple iPhone X
Apple
-
reading•Apple says no thanks to EU hearing on tax evasion
-
Feb 21•Galaxy S10E vs. iPhone XR: We compare every spec
-
Feb 21•Galaxy S10 Plus vs. iPhone XS Max, Pixel 3 XL: Specs compared
-
Feb 21•Galaxy S10 vs. iPhone XS, Pixel 3: Every spec compared
-
Feb 21•Galaxy S10, Galaxy Fold launch: 5 phones, smartwatches, new headphones and more
-
•See All
Discuss: Apple says no thanks to EU hearing on tax evasion
Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion.