Apple says no operations were moved from Ireland

FILE PHOTO - A 3D printed Apple logo is seen in front of a displayed Irish flag in this illustration taken September 2, 2016. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

(Reuters) - Apple Inc said none of its operations were moved from Ireland and that changes made to its corporate structure in 2015 were specially designed to preserve tax payments to the United States, and not to reduce taxes anywhere else.

The statement on Monday from Apple comes following criticism of its tax affairs after reports based on the "Paradise Papers" showed that the iPhone maker shifted key parts of its business to Jersey as an offshore tax haven in a move to maintain a low tax rate.