Why would Ireland not want Apple's tax money?

I have a feeling it has something to do with Ireland not wanting to be dictated to by the EU.

I think you’re not quite getting the story correct. It’s the EU that wants the money, because Ireland “has not taxed at a high enough rate”. (Presumably they would also like Ireland to raise its corporate tax rate.) But the EU wants the money itself because of Ireland’s “aid” to Apple.

This is somewhat akin to the nonsensical notions that people have that low wage earners for various US businesses who also collect various state and federal aid indicate that the businesses that employ those people should be heavily taxed – or simply be forced to pay more in wages – because of the government benefits paid. Of course, that argument completely overlooks the fact that if the jobs cost the employer so much, then they would likely not exist in the first place. But you already understand that; I don’t need to convince you.

Ireland, properly and sensibly wants “the business”, meaning the commerce, the high employment at good wages, and “the tiny parts of a very large pie” that they have determined suit it very well. The EU wants more.

@CWOTUS I did consider that Ireland wants to protect the business they are doing with Apple.

This also serves as an example of what happens when a company has their tax burden reduced or nearly eliminated…they can invest that money into R&D, then innovates new technologies which means more jobs and obviously more profits. But this leaves not only the EU, but the US holding the bag for Apple by not getting the taxes profitable companies lsuch as Apple otherwise generate.

But I have more than a hunch that there is a much bigger boat Ireland does not want to rock than just Apples’ business and profits.

Ah, now don’t you fall into the trap that so many of the moochers set regarding companies’ earnings being untaxed, and governments “holding the bag” and “losing revenue”. Because you know at least as well as I do that the distributions are very well taxed as dividends and capital gains – the reason that owners hold the companies in the first place. While Apple may very well hold up to $200 Billion in retained earnings – for now – that cash doesn’t stay idle. They’ll use it to expand the business in some way – or return it to the investors who own it. Those dividend and capital gains taxes are paid on top of the taxes generated by employees earning salaries and the consumers paying sales tax and VAT directly on products.

There is not much incentive to move a business to Ireland other than the lower rates. Ireland has low tax rates specifically to attract large multinational corporations. The article states that Google and Amazon are next on their list and I’m sure many more will follow. If this suit is allowed to stand, Ireland is likely to lose much of it’s business, lots of jobs and more revenue over time than this suit would get them. If the EU can change the rules retroactively, all the EU members become much less attractive and Ireland specifically loses it’s advantage for attracting business. Those that believe wages are the only reason for moving overseas should take note. The wages in Ireland are pretty good.

@Jaxk GA

@Jaxk No hit list if Hillary gets elected. This article piqued my curiosity yesterday and caused me to go follow the money. I googled Hillary Clinton foundation donors and came up with a treasure trove of articles that to paraphrase…showed 2 of the Clinton Foundation biggest donors are business men in Ireland. One had direct dealing with Hillary in 2010 while she was in the state dept. and she helped his company win a lucrative contract to supply cell service to Haiti avert the big earthquake. Cell service needs cell phones and I could not find a direct link to Apple I phones but I am sure they are benefiting from burgeoning cell phone demand in developing countries. I also discovered that a big VP at Apple sits on the Clinton Foundation Board of Directors and so does the Irish big donor that has given 5–10 million donation. Another project Bill, Hillary and the state dept helped him with was to win a huge no bid construction project in Haiti that no surprise over spent the millions he was awarded and the construction was rated to be marginal at best. This same Irish donor also arranged many thousand of dollar speaking fees for Bill. I am sure is a lot more to be dug up on quid pro quo shenanigans by the Clintons.

@Cruiser – It’s not fair to eliminate Hillary’s income from selling favors. Hell if she can’t get rich by selling government contracts, she’ll be reduced to renting out the Lincoln bedroom. Hopefully that’s still legal.

@Jaxk I won’t lose sleep if Hillary can’t sell favors as she can still make her millions by starting a hard drive scrubbing consulting firm. Put a couple lobbyists on the Hill and she will be able to maintain her current life style no problem.

Hard drive scrubbing? You mean like with a cloth:-)

@Jaxk :D

Ireland has attracted tech companies because of tax breaks. If the tax breaks are taken away there is no incentive for the countries to stay.

I meant “companies” nor “countries”