Explainer: Why does Apple have to pay Ireland $14.4 bn?

Apple has been ordered to pay €13 billion ($14.4 billion) in back taxes to Ireland after losing a lengthy court battle with the European Union. The ruling, which concludes a case dating back to 2016, finds that Apple benefited from illegal tax advantages under Ireland's "Double Irish" scheme, which exploited loopholes allowing multinational companies to significantly reduce their tax liabilities.