Apple Declines Invite to EU Hearing, Cites Appeal Against EU Tax Order

Apple became the first $1 trillion U.S. firm Thursday. An Apple logo hangs above the entrance to the Apple store on 5th Avenue in the Manhattan borough of New York City, July 21, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo

BRUSSELS—iPhone maker Apple has turned down an invitation to an EU lawmakers’ hearing, saying it does not want to prejudice its challenge to an EU order to pay up to 13 billion euros (11.4 billion pounds) in back taxes to Ireland.

A European Parliament committee is holding the hearing on tax evasion on June 21.