Profits at Apple’s subsidiary in Ireland rise to $69bn

The latest financial filings for the subsidiary, which is facing legal challenges over its tax arrangements in Ireland, show the Irish division made the equivalent of nearly $190m a day over the year to September.

The iPhone maker's Cork-based Apple Operations International - which is the umbrella firm for most of Apple's subsidiaries outside the US - said yearly revenues rose by $11.7bn to $223bn alongside the 2% rise in profits.

However, it is not clear which governments received those taxes, which amount to 11% of profits. Ireland charges a 12.5% corporation tax rate, which would have resulted in a bill worth $8.7bn.

Including deferred tax charges, Apple Operations International paid a total tax bill of $11bn for the period.

Apple has faced controversy over its tax arrangements in Ireland, where it has had a presence since 1980. Apple Operations International and its subsidiaries employ about 56,600 staff, of whom 6,000 are based in Ireland.

Apple challenged the order, which was part of the EU's efforts to crack down on tax avoidance. A Luxembourg court later ruled that the commission failed to prove that Apple had benefited from the allegedly illegal arrangement, and said Apple did not need to pay back-taxes to the Irish government.

The European Commission is still in the process of appealing against the EU court's ruling. A spokesperson for Apple declined to comment.