Apple shifted more than $8 billion in profits from Australia to a tax haven in Ireland, claimed a report appearing in the Financial Review.
The US-tech giant had transferred $8.1 billion in untaxed profits to Apple Sales International, an Irish company which paid less than 50¢ in tax for every $1000 earned in the last five years, the Financial Review said. The new findings are based on financial documents in the company's possession.
"Last year Apple reported pre-tax earnings in Australia of only $88.5 million after it sent an estimated $2 billion of income from its Australian sales to Ireland via Singapore, where Apple negotiated a secret tax deal in 2009," the report said.
It further said, "Apple Sales International has reported more than $US 100 billion (A $112 billion) of profits in the last five years. Its accounts show it has paid less than 50¢ in tax on every A $1000 of income."
The report is significant considering the G20 meeting in Sydney held last week where Google, Microsoft and Apple were given a deadline to reform their tax arrangements.
The Guardian quoted Apple's statement to a parliamentary oversight committee made last year when it said its tax affairs in Australia were "straightforward".
In response to Financial Review's report, Australian authorities made a fresh commitment to raising the issue at the upcoming G20 meeting, said The Business Line.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann was quoted by Business Line as saying, "Businesses should pay their fair share of tax where they earn profits."
Also quoting the Financial Review, the Business Line said that Australians brought Apple products worth A $27 billion, but the company had paid only A $193 million tax in the country. The Guardian added that it did not receive a response to questions posted to Apple.
