Apple just lost a decadelong EU tax case. Now it must pay $14 billion.

• The EU's top court ruled Apple must pay over €13 billion in back taxes.
• The European Court of Justice's decision ends a decadelong legal battle with the tech giant.

The EU's top court just dealt Apple a major blow, ruling that the tech giant must pay more than €13 billion (about $14 billion) in back taxes.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that Apple must pay the taxes to the Irish government, ending a decadelong legal battle.

The European Commission started investigating Apple's tax payments in Ireland in 2014. By 2016, EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager said it found that Apple benefited from unfair tax breaks from the Irish government between 1991 and 2014 by paying a much lower rate than other companies.

Apple and Ireland then appealed the decision in 2019, and the EU General Court ruled in favor of the iPhone maker in 2020.

Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

This is a developing story. Please check back later for updates.