doom_biscuitSep 10, 2024
European Commission

🇪🇺⚖️ Today is a good day for European citizens, tax justice, and fair competition.

In its final judgment, @Curia has confirmed our 2016 decision that Ireland granted illegal aid to Apple, requiring the release of up to 13 billion euros in unpaid taxes.

The court has also upheld our decision against Google for abusing its dominant position by favouring its own comparison shopping service and the resulting €2.4 billion fine.

ℹ️ https://europa.eu/!Dy3ndR

#EU

Sep 10, 2024 at 10:56amWeb
Show threadFediThing Sep 10, 2024

@EUCommission @Curia

Hahaha! Yay! 👏

So, Apple has a €13 billion bill and Google has a €2.4 billion bill? And that money will go towards whatever taxes pay for? Sounds like a pretty good day indeed 👍

Show threadFrankSep 10, 2024
@EUCommission @Curia A good day for citizens??? Why? Will they see a single cent of that money, or will they get any future lower tax on their income, gas, alkohol or cigarettes, thanks to this decision?
Or is it going, as usual, torwards your own salaries?
Show threadtichoSep 10, 2024

@the_alsatian @EUCommission @Curia

I realize you're probably just a dumb troll, but in case you're in earnest, you'll have to ask the Irish government, since it's Ireland those taxes are owed to.

Show threadFrankSep 10, 2024

@ticho @EUCommission @Curia You "realize".... nice start.

Anyway, Ireland didn't ask for it and actually was on Apple side during this process.
And if Ireland citizens should get the money, totally fine, but don't market it as "European citizens" (like for all of Europe).

That's fake advertising. (1/2)

Show threadFrankSep 10, 2024

And in this case, I hope Irish people get a hell of a tax break for the next years, especially the ones who need it, like single mothers, elderly, free lunches for school kids,etc.

Otherwise, this EU post is just a dog & pony show marketing gag.

Also: Please, don't assume my gender. I'm not a Troll.

Have a nice day. (2/2)

Show threadmartensonSep 10, 2024
@the_alsatian @ticho @EUCommission @Curia Ireland broke the EU law by giving illegal tax incentives to Apple. And it was further fighting to protect it's tax haven status, which is shameful. Is there something else you do not understand or are you just an everyday supporter of corporate tax avoidance?
Show threadFrankSep 10, 2024
@martenson @ticho @EUCommission @Curia In that case, I agree with you, Ireland should get the money, and as a criminal entity, should get thrown out of the EU.
We should definitely not support this behavior in the EU.
Show threadmartensonSep 10, 2024
@the_alsatian @ticho @EUCommission @Curia I see expecting a reasonable discourse was too much. Apologies.
Show threadMnemosinaSep 10, 2024
@martenson @the_alsatian @ticho @EUCommission @Curia Among the many things the troll doesn't understand is the concept of EU citizenship, which Irish people understood quite well during Brexit. Also doesn't understand this is a decision under EU law, the legal order of the Union, etc. etc. etc.
Show threadFediThing Sep 10, 2024

@the_alsatian

The €13 billion bill from Apple goes to Irish taxes, i.e. hospitals, schools, public services etc.

The annual wage bill for the Irish parliament is about €0.02 billion, and that is already covered by existing taxes. They don't get any bonuses if tax incomes go up.

Similar situation for the €2.4 billion from Google, but (I think?) it goes to the EU kitty so it could go on EU infrastructure projects etc.

Show threadFrankSep 10, 2024
@FediThing I sure hope the money ends up to those entities.
But we all know what happens with that much money and European counsel
Show threadculpaplexSep 10, 2024
@the_alsatian @FediThing It does not appear you actually do know what happens with the money.
Show threadMnemosinaSep 10, 2024
@hp @the_alsatian @FediThing The European "counsel", lol... Not like Ireland is a part of both of them "counsels" or anything.
Show threadRihards OlupsSep 10, 2024
@FediThing That troll is awful, but what is that EU kitty that will get 2.4 billion? :)
Show threadFediThing Sep 10, 2024

@richlv

I'm not sure how EU fine money is distributed, I am guessing it is put into the general budget as this is what most governments do.

Show threadFrankSep 10, 2024
@FediThing @richlv And that's the problem: Nobody really knows how those fines are distributed.
I would have preferred a Com from the EU once this is clear and precise. Otherwise it is just a marketing gag post.
Show threadFediThing Sep 10, 2024

@[email protected] @richlv

Don't be ridiculous, there is a published budget every year:

https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/eu-budget/annual-eu-budget/all-annual-budgets/2024_en

When I said I am not sure, it's because I have better things to do with my time than browse through financial documents right now.

2024

The documents related to the adoption, implementation and accounting of the 2024 EU annual budget.

European Commission
Show threadRihards OlupsSep 10, 2024

@FediThing The trolling is strong with that one. So strong, it almost seems like a russian trollfarm persona :)

Anyway, back to kitties... I guess the rich EU kittie might look like this one ;)

Show threadFrankSep 10, 2024
@richlv @FediThing Quick, unreflected, judgments are usually not a sign of a higher intellect. But thank you for your opinion.
Show threadBenedikt NeuzweigSep 10, 2024
@the_alsatian @richlv @FediThing Old man vibes detected.
Show threadFrankSep 10, 2024
@benedikt_lauenburg @richlv @FediThing Define "old"
Show threadWhat's a fun name?Sep 10, 2024
@EUCommission @Curia so, a total of €15.4 bil. Within the EU, there are approx 450 mil. people. So, if it is good for us, I should be expecting my share, €34.2 soon. You want an IBAN?
Show threadjramskovSep 10, 2024
@hellenicsun @EUCommission @Curia It’s Ireland that gets the money, not the EU.
Show threadPiero BosioSep 10, 2024

@EUCommission

In my opinion that is a sad day, because in the end it is the citizens who pay on which companies make up for it by increasing the price of products and services or cutting salaries and staff.

Show threadKevinOnEarthSep 10, 2024
@pierobosio @EUCommission
Megacorps don't need fines as justification for putting up prices (although they will tell us this of course!). Watch how many people will hand Appul €1000+ to have a new camera button!!
This is money that citizens *have already paid* and that they are getting back!
Sad day for greedy megacorps shareholders, yes.
Show threadGeorgeSep 10, 2024
@EUCommission A step in the right direction.
Show threadEuropean CommissionSep 10, 2024
@secoiqq 🇪🇺
Show threadGöran KlarénSep 10, 2024

@EUCommission

The good day for EU citizens will be the day this commissioner leaves. She is anti technology and under her leadership EU have become a technology desert. Take a look at her home country Denmark. Name any tech innovation from there. I wonder how much money the whining Spotify has paid her.

Show threadIgigogSep 10, 2024
@EUCommission @Curia Hell yeah the money is ours
Show threaddoom_biscuitSep 10, 2024
@EUCommission
@Curia @FediThing
If only American legislators gave a half a shit about their constituents. Unfortunately, Apple and Google buy our representatives, so we have no say in how we're governed.
Show threadHiSep 16, 2024
@EUCommission @Curia how much have they gained from avoiding taxes for all this time? Did it end up costing them more, or was is still a good bet? Unless it really hurts them, nothing will change.