The apple still escapes the taxman's bite. In 2013 Apple paid taxes in Italy as if it were not one of the most gigantic multinationals on the planet, but a company like many others: according to the numbers of the financial statements consulted by Ansa, the two Cupertino subsidiaries in our country, Apple Italia and Apple retail Italia, paid just under 8 million to the Revenue Agency.
Something doesn't add up, given that in the same period the group made profits of 37 billion worldwide and sales of almost 38 billion in Europe, while the turnover produced by the 14 App Stores in Italy reached 300 million euros, 20% in more compared to the 249 million of the previous year.
What is the secret of so much savings? Simple: for several years Apple has set up a corporate structure that allows it to concentrate profits in Ireland, where it has agreed on a rate of less than 2%. In fact, despite the surge in revenues, the profit of the Italian stores stopped at just under 2,5 million euros, mainly due to the 220,7 million costs paid in Ireland to Apple Distribution International, supplier of Apple products filling store shelves.
The Milan prosecutor's office has already opened an investigation into fraudulent declarations against the American giant. In particular, two managers ended up in the crosshairs of the judiciary, accused of fraudulent declarations. According to the allegations, in 2010 and 2011 alone, the group's tax strategies would have reduced the tax base in Italy by over one billion euros.
"The company reaffirms its full confidence in the work of its employees and directors and in the lawfulness of the conduct", reads the financial statements.
