Apple delays annual report due to options probe

Apple Computer said friday it was unable to file its Form 10-K for the 2006 fiscal year as a result of an ongoing internal probe into its stock options irregularities.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Cupertino, Calif.-based Mac maker reiterated the need to restate its historical financial statements to record non-cash charges for compensation expense relating to past stock option grants.

"The company is in the process of finalizing its conclusions regarding the amount of such charges, the resulting tax and accounting impact, and which periods require restatement," Apple wrote.

Consequently, the company said it unable to file its Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2006 by the required filing date of December 14, 2006.

After discovering irregularities related to historical past stock option grants earlier in the year, Apple in August proactively announced that its internal audit committee turned up additional evidence of irregularities and that it would likely need to restate its historical financial statements as a result.

In its filing with the SEC friday, Apple said it now anticipates that it will file its Form 10-K on or before December 29, 2006.