European Commission: Apple owes $14.5B in taxes

The executive branch of the European Union found Ireland granted unfair and illegal tax breaks to Apple.

As such, the European Commission ruled Apple now owes more than $14.5 billion in back taxes.

Apple has two companies incorporated in Ireland, Apple Sales International and Apple Operations Europe.

The commission claims in addition to paying less in taxes than other companies in Ireland, Apple recorded all sales in the EU as sales in Ireland.

Apple, which plans to appeal the decision, said the ruling is "an effort to rewrite Apple's history in Europe, ignore Ireland's tax laws and upend the international tax system in the process."

Read more from NPR.