As The Currency revealed that several multinationals continue to use the double Irish tax structure via Malta, domestic retailers EuroGiant and Anthony Nicholas demonstrated that success is achievable without such tactics – they just focused on strengthening their balance sheet.
Over the past eight years, the US and Irish governments have tried and failed to close tax loopholes on three occasions. Why is this, and can the collective approach under the new OECD deal turn the tide?
For five years, a charity has warned of the risk that multinationals may combine Ireland and Malta to minimise their tax bills aggressively. Now that its concerns have been borne out, Christian Aid explains why it matters.
Computer chips, video games, aircraft leases: As long as a portion of Irish income can be attributed to intangible assets, multinationals have found creative ways of having it taxed at around 5% in the Mediterranean island.
Successive rule changes purported to outlaw the double Irish and single malt tax structures but they left a gap wide open. Here is how Abbott stepped into it to minimise the tax due on profits from Covid-19 and other medical tests.
Months before Covid-19, Abbott Laboratories completed the reorganisation of a rapid diagnostics unit across Ireland and Malta. When this business ballooned, profits trickled through the supposedly closed double Irish loophole.
Like so many technology multinationals, Airbnb ran intellectual property through US and Irish loopholes to minimise its tax bills over the past decade. After failing to convince the IRS its figures were right, the firm is prepared to go to court.
Having lost a landmark case over a major tax scheme, the Irish tax authority has been told to pay all of the costs of the case. Undeterred, it is now challenging the Berlin bond scheme in the Court of Appeal.
The former directors of a luxury car importer and exporter are being pursued for the tax debts of the company, which are said to exceed €2 million.
On the basis of his word alone, a property investor tried to convince Revenue he was entitled to €750,000 in loss relief arising from a string of major property deals. It didn't go well.
© 2025 Currency Media Limited
