I don't think it's at all that straightforward. Apple has assigned intellectual property to their subsidiaries in Ireland and has used that as a way to direct profits out of the US. Is that legal? I am not an expert, but surely it is not straightforward.
Once profits collect in Ireland, Apple moves the profits to it's "head office", which not only is not in Ireland, it's not physical in any way. Thus they avoid the bulk of Irish taxes. The EU is suing Ireland and seem fairly serious, at least in this case it looks like Apple will pay some of the taxes, eventually.
Once profits collect in Ireland, Apple moves the profits to it's "head office", which not only is not in Ireland, it's not physical in any way. Thus they avoid the bulk of Irish taxes. The EU is suing Ireland and seem fairly serious, at least in this case it looks like Apple will pay some of the taxes, eventually.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-apple-taxavoidance-cou...
Is this the only way they are avoiding taxes? I strongly suspect it is not and that they are breaking the law in more than one case.