Siri's AI Upgrade in iOS 19 May Signal Apple's Split from OpenAI and ChatGPT 
Xiaomi's Second Electric SUV to Challenge Tesla Model Y in Q1 2025, Report Reveals 
Understanding Self-Exclusion Programs: Your Guide to Responsible Gaming 
$18 XRP Prediction Gains Traction as Wave 3 Builds Toward $5 Surge Before 2024 
Benefits of BLDC fans in the monsoon: All you need to know! 
Bitcoin Targets $180K in 2025, TYMIO Founder Predicts Supply Shock 
Shiba Inu Burn Rate Explodes 49,646% as SHIB Price Climbs 10% in Stunning Market Rally 
Amazon's $4 Billion Anthropic Deal Supercharges AI Race Against Microsoft and Google 
Nvidia's Fugatto AI Transforms Voices and Sounds, Ushering in a New Audio Era 
XRP Soars as Trump’s Pro-Crypto Treasury Pick Gains Ripple CEO’s Approval 
Apple Pushes Suppliers for Laptop OLED Displays, Hinting at Soon-to-Launch MacBook Pro Models 
Shiba Inu in Trouble? 33 Trillion SHIB Could Fall If $0.000022 Support Breaks 
Crypto Rules Shakeup: Trump-Tied SEC Candidate Hints at Clearer Path After Gensler’s Sudden Exit 
TikTok CEO Turns to Musk for Guidance Amid Trump Policy Concerns, WSJ Reports 
Ethereum's Path to $20K: Correction Likely First, Analysts Warn 
Cardano Hits $1.06 Milestone as Experts Eye $6 and Beyond in Bullish Breakout 
Amazon Inc. claimed its win in a fight against the European Commission that accused it of benefiting from illegal tax breaks. The top court in Europe sided with the American e-commerce giant by dismissing the appeal of the EU and effectively upholding the previous ruling that favored the company.
In declaring its decision, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) explained that the EU's executive unit had not established that a tax agreement between Amazon and Luxembourg was a state aid that was not compatible with the internal market, as per CNBC.
Blow to EU’s Margrethe Vestager
The Court of Justice's latest resolution in Amazon's $270 million or €250 tax bill is said to be a binding ruling. It was handed down on Thursday, Dec. 14, and officially discarded the European Commission's appeal.
In any case, business observers opined that the outcome is another burning defeat for Margrethe Vestager, the EU Competition's commissioner who led the campaign against special tax treatment being granted to major firms by member states. She has been involved in this effort for years and slapped Apple Inc. with a record €13 billion penalty, a case still awaiting a final decision at the top court.
Reactions to ECJ's Ruling
Reuters reported that the EU top court's decision is final. This means Amazon no longer has to shell out $273 million to pay taxes to Luxembourg. The spokesperson of the company issued a statement shortly after its court win.
"We welcome the Court's ruling, which confirms that Amazon followed all applicable laws and received no special treatment," he said. "We look forward to continuing to focus on delivering for our customers across Europe."
On the other hand, some individuals are against the case's outcome. An Oxfam EU tax expert, Chiara Putaturo, slammed the decision by saying, "Amazon got an early Christmas present this year, as the company dodged its decade-old tax bill to Luxembourg and can continue to do so."
She added, "This is why the EU must come forward with real tax reforms. It can start by not looking the other way when it comes to tax havens within its borders allowing companies to sidestep their tax bills through empty offices."
Photo by: Yender Gonzalez/Unsplash
