Apple paid more cash income tax in Ireland than in Singapore in fiscal 2026, but Singapore delivered the larger reduction in tax expense. The company reported $4.96 billion in cash income taxes paid in Ireland and $3.25 billion in Singapore; against the 21% U.S. federal corporate tax rate, Singapore lowered Apple’s tax expense by $2.67 billion — about $100 million more than Ireland did.
Singapore’s lower statutory rate and incentives would have reduced Apple’s tax bill by $5.49 billion before other taxes and adjustments. A $2.51 billion top-up tax, introduced by Singapore to bring the effective tax rate for qualifying large multinationals up to 15%, erased nearly half of that initial saving.
Fiscal 2026 was the first year Apple disclosed tax figures by country in its annual report under new U.S. accounting rules; Apple reported a combined figure for its foreign subsidiaries in fiscal 2025 and 2024, so those earlier years do not allow a direct comparison between Singapore and Ireland.
How Singapore’s tax rules cut Apple’s tax bill
Estimates put Apple’s pretax profit booked in Singapore at up to $50 billion in 2026; Apple’s Singapore subsidiaries reported nearly $40 billion a year earlier. Apple’s Singapore business sells products and services to other Apple companies overseas, allowing it to record part of the profit before a product reaches the final customer. In Ireland, an Apple subsidiary handles sales in several markets, and profits those businesses earn can qualify for lower taxes under local rules.
