Apple has been told it will not have to pay Ireland €13bn (£11.6bn) in back taxes after winning an appeal at the European Union’s second highest court, reports the BBC.
It follows a record ruling by the European Commission against the US tech giant in 2016.
The EU’s General Court said it had annulled that decision because the Commission had not proved that Apple had broken competition rules.
It is a blow to the EU which is trying to clamp down on alleged tax avoidance.
However, it has the right to lodge an appeal at Europe’s highest court, the European Court of Justice, within 14 days.
“This case was not about how much tax we pay, but where we are required to pay it,” Apple said in a statement. “We’re proud to be the largest taxpayer in the world as we know the important role tax payments play in society.”
