AAPL: EU Retreats on Digital Tax — While $490M Investor Claims Still Pending

Court: N.D. California

Case: 4:19-cv-02033

Apple AAPL just dodged a major regulatory bullet in Europe. The European Commission has dropped its long-debated plans to introduce a digital services tax targeting large tech companies — including Apple — in its 2028–2035 budget proposal.

The digital levy, which had been discussed as recently as May, aimed to tax digital companies generating revenue in the EU without a local presence. Its removal is widely seen as a strategic move to smooth the path for a new EU–US trade agreement, with Apple as a key stakeholder in both markets.

But while Apple avoids one financial hit, it hasn’t escaped all scrutiny.

The company is moving forward with a $490M settlement to resolve claims that CEO Tim Cook misled investors about declining iPhone demand in China during the 2018–2019 trade tensions.

• Nov 2018: Cook says China not affected by sales pressure.
• Jan 2, 2019: Apple cuts forecast by $9B.
• Jan 3, 2019: AAPL sinks 10%.
• Apr 2019: Investors sue.

• Holders of AAPL between Nov 2, 2018 and Jan 2, 2019 may be eligible.
• Late claims are being accepted, pending court approval.
• Payouts typically arrive 8–12 months after approval.

👉 You can check more information about it and file for a payout HERE.

With regulatory pressure easing in Europe and legal claims still pending in the U.S., AAPL’s global balancing act continues.