This article is more than 1 year old

Woz says 'Jobs started Apple for money' – then says it must pay 50% tax like he does

Dead Steve Jobs would be spinning in his grave

Steve Wozniak has spoken out against Apple's tax affairs, saying all companies ought to pay 50 per cent in taxes.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live he said: "I don't like the idea that Apple might be unfair - not paying taxes the way I do as a person.

"I do a lot of work, I do a lot of travel and I pay over 50 per cent of anything I make in taxes and I believe that's part of life and you should do it."

Asked if Apple should pay that amount, he replied: "Every company in the world should."

According to Woz, money was never a factor when he started the biz with Steve Jobs 40 years ago. He added: "Steve Jobs started Apple Computers for money, that was his big thing and that was extremely important and critical and good."

Europe is currently scrutinising Ireland's tax arrangements with Apple over an alleged sweetheart deal with the company. Some have speculated the probe could lead to Apple paying $8bn in back taxes, even though the case is against the Irish government.

Under the EU's state aid rules, national authorities cannot take measures allowing certain companies to pay less tax than they should if the tax rules of the state were applied in a fair and non-discriminatory way.

However, the regulator has been slow in making progress on the case, which was first launched against Ireland in June 2014, with a decision originally expected at the beginning of this year.

An EU Commission spokeswoman said the investigation is ongoing. "Ireland did not reply in full to the commission's last request for information, which is why the commission has sent a reminder to Ireland to request the missing data. Furthermore, the commission has requested clarifications to follow-up on some of the replies sent by Ireland."

The Irish government has said “Ireland is confident that there is no breach of state aid rules in this case." ®

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