Sven Giegold

Apple refuses testimony before EU tax committee: Apple’s refusal is phony

Sherlock for tax justice

Apple has rejected to come to a hearing of the Special Committee on Financial Crime, Tax Evasion and Tax Avoidance (TAX3). The company stated that it would not testify before the committee because it „pays every cent of tax we owe“ and does not want to interfere with its appeal to repay illegal fiscal state aid to Ireland.

 

MEP Sven Giegold, financial and economic policy spokesperson of the Greens/EFA group commented:

„Apple’s refusal is phony. The company’s reasoning is a bad joke as it has been shown to have avoided taxes through illegal state aid in Ireland. Appealing an administrative decision does not justify to deny an invitation to the European Parliament. Apple shows disrespect for democracy. We should now remove Apple’s lobby access cards for the European Parliament. Those who wish to escape parliamentary control should be deprived of privileged access to Parliament. The new Rules of Procedure for the committee give us the right to do so. No company is above democracy. “

 

Letter from Apple: https://sven-giegold.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2060-Letter-to-TAXE3-Committee-May-2018-.pdf

Link to Apple’s entry in the EU transparency register: http://ec.europa.eu/transparencyregister/public/consultation/displaylobbyist.do?id=588327811384-96