The decision is being described as a big blow to the European Commission’s efforts to extract more tax from big tech giants — a mission that has been spearheaded by Margrethe Vestager, the Commission’s EVP.
The Irish government, which also appealed against the 2016 ruling, welcomed the General Court’s ruling. “Ireland has always been clear that there was no special treatment provided to the two Apple companies – ASI and AOE. The correct amount of Irish tax was charged taxation in line with normal Irish taxation rules,” it said.
“Ireland appealed the Commission Decision on the basis that Ireland granted no state aid and the decision today from the Court supports that view.” The European Commission can appeal the ruling, which would mean the case is elevated to the Court of Justice of the European Union, the EU’s highest court.