Apple's Tax Deal With Irish Regulators Could Take Longer Than Expected

Apple Inc. AAPL disclosed to investors last year that it expects "material" tax repercussions if the European Commission rules against the company over alleged tax avoidance, particularly in Ireland.

Specifically, Apple may have avoided international tax rules in Ireland by sheltering tens of billions of dollars of profit in return for maintaining jobs in the country.

Related Link: Apple Expects 'Material' Tax Repercussions From European Commission Tax Probe

Apple investors may breathe a temporary sigh of relief after Reuters reported on Monday that an ongoing two-year long investigation by the European Commission will take a lot longer to complete because of the large amount of data involved.

Reuters also added the European Union's competition chief suggested it is "unclear" when the probe will be decided.

Shares of Apple were trading higher by more than 1 percent late Monday morning at $111.34.