Irish Government Reports €108 Billion in Tax Receipts for 2024, Boosted by Apple Tax Ruling

The Irish government reported total tax receipts of €108 billion ($112.6 billion) for the year 2024, it announced yesterday, January 6. However, officials noted that this figure is “distorted” due to tax revenue stemming from a Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) ruling last year.

In September 2023, the CJEU ordered Apple to pay Ireland €13 billion in unpaid taxes. This decision concluded a long-standing legal battle in which Apple had contested the European Commission’s 2016 finding that the Irish government had provided the company with illegal state aid through two tax rulings issued in 1991 and 2007.

Excluding the tax revenue from the CJEU ruling, Ireland’s tax receipts amounted to €97.1 billion in 2024. This marks an increase of €9 billion, or 10.2%, compared to 2023.

Income tax receipts for the year reached €35.1 billion, representing a 6.6% increase from the previous year. Corporation tax income, excluding the Apple payout, totaled €28.1 billion, reflecting a significant 17.9% rise compared to 2023. Meanwhile, VAT receipts amounted to €21.8 billion, a year-on-year increase of 7.3%.

“The end-year figures are affected by one-off receipts arising from the CJEU and so it is important to dig below the surface,” stated Ireland’s Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers. “When we do this, we see solid growth in income tax and VAT receipts last year; these trends demonstrate the underlying strength of our economy.”

Chambers has played a key role in managing Ireland’s additional revenues following the high-profile Apple tax dispute. During an October Budget announcement, Chambers outlined plans to allocate these funds toward addressing critical national challenges, including housing, energy, water, and transport infrastructure.

He also announced a commitment to cutting taxes by a net €1.4 billion, increasing VAT registration thresholds, and introducing a participation exemption for foreign dividends. These measures reflect the government’s broader strategy to leverage its growing tax revenues for both immediate and long-term economic benefits.

By fLEXI tEAM