nl flag go to the original language article
This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by ANP.

European Commissioner calls won lawsuits ‘a great victory’

by AI | 11.Sep 2024 | Europe in brief AI

BRUSSELS (ANP) – European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager calls the rulings of the European Court of Justice regarding Apple and Google “a great victory for European citizens and for tax justice”. The Court ruled on Tuesday that the European Commission had rightly imposed heavy fines on both tech companies. According to Vestager, the rulings show that “even the most powerful technology companies could be held accountable. No one is above the law,” said the Commissioner during a press conference.

Apple has rightly been fined by the European Commission, ruled the European Court. Photo: Lionel BONEVENTURE / AFP

“Today is a step forward. And it is encouraging for us to do more,” said Vestager. “The Commission will continue its work on harmful tax competition and aggressive tax planning.”

But there is still more to be done. “Aggressive tax planning practices are still widespread.” For example, the Netherlands has not yet adjusted the tax regulations for international multinationals, she said. The same goes for Ireland, Belgium, and Luxembourg, Vestager said.

Apple has improperly received state aid from Ireland and now has to repay 13 billion euros to Ireland, plus 1.2 billion euros in interest, as ruled by the highest European court. Google must definitively pay a 2.4 billion euro fine. The European Commission imposed the monetary penalty in 2017 for alleged abuse of dominance in its price comparison service. In this case too, the court ruled that the fine was justified.

According to Vestager, the investigations by the European Commission into state aid or tax advantages to international companies have already led to different policies in the member states in recent years, including the Netherlands. “The policy regarding tax arrangements has changed in the Netherlands. Since 2019, the Netherlands has adopted legislation to counter the use of empty companies to evade or avoid taxes,” said Vestager.

(September 10)