Apple paid more income tax in Ireland than in Singapore in fiscal 2026, but it saved more in Singapore.Apple's annual report shows that the company paid $4.96 billion in cash income taxes in Ireland and $3.25 billion in Singapore.Against the 21% U.S.
federal corporate tax rate, Singapore lowered Apple's tax expense by $2.67 billion, about $100 million more than Ireland did.Singapore's lower tax rate and incentives would have saved Apple $5.49 billion before other taxes and adjustments.A $2.51 billion top-up tax erased nearly half of that initial saving.
Singapore introduced the tax to bring the effective tax rate for qualifying large multinationals up to 15%.Fiscal 2026 was the first year Apple disclosed these figures by country in its annual report under new U.S.accounting rules.
Apple reported a combined figure for its foreign subsidiaries in fiscal 2025 and 2024, so those years offer no direct comparison between Singapore and Ireland.The estimated that Apple booked up to $50 billion in pretax profit in Singapore in 2026.Apple's Singapore subsidiaries reported nearly $40 billion a year earlier.
Apple can earn a profit in one country even when the customer is in another.Its Singapore business sells products and services to other Apple companies overseas, so it can earn part of the profit before a product reaches the customer.In Ireland, an Apple subsidiary handles sales in several markets.
Profits those businesses earn can qualify for lower taxes under local rules.Note: This discussion thread is located in our Political News forum with special rules.
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