Apple paid Ireland $17.1 billion in taxes, 40% of global total

August 21, 2026 at 07:49 PM1 min

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Apple paid Ireland $17.1 billion in taxes in the fiscal year ended September 2025, according to a company filing. The payment represented about 40% of the iPhone maker's $43.2 billion worldwide income tax total. The Irish payment included €13 billion ($15.18 billion) in back taxes ordered by the European Union's top court in 2024.

Key Facts

Apple paid Ireland $17.1 billion in taxes in the fiscal year ended September 2025.
The Irish payment included €13 billion ($15.18 billion) in back taxes ordered by the EU's top court in 2024.
Apple's worldwide income tax payments totaled $43.2 billion for the fiscal year.
Ireland fought the EU back-tax bill alongside Apple for eight years.
In 2016, EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager accused Ireland of granting Apple illegal tax benefits.

Tax Payment Breakdown

Apple's $17.1 billion payment to Ireland represented about 40% of its $43.2 billion worldwide income tax total for the fiscal year ended September 2025. The company said the amount paid to Ireland was "significantly higher" than income taxes accrued because it included €13 billion ($15.18 billion) in back taxes. The back taxes were ordered by the European Union's top court in 2024. Apple disclosed the figures in a company filing detailing its global tax liabilities country-by-country.

EU Back-Tax Dispute

Ireland fought the EU back-tax bill alongside Apple for eight years, seeking to defend its position as the location of choice for U.S. multinationals in Europe. In 2016, European Commission competition chief Margrethe Vestager accused Ireland of granting Apple illegal tax benefits, unfairly diverting investment away from other countries. The EU's top court ultimately ordered Apple to pay the back taxes in 2024.