National Intertribal Tax Alliance Conference (Sept. 12-14, 2017)

Here.

Federal Court Holds Feds Cannot Tax Proceeds Derived Directly from Indian Lands

Here are the materials in Perkins v. United States (W.D.N.Y.):

An excerpt:

This case presents what appears to be an issue of first impression: whether a treaty between the United States and Native Americans ensuring the free use and enjoyment of tribal land bars taxes on income derived directly from the land—here, the sale of gravel mined on the land. Although at least two circuit courts have suggested in dicta that “income derived directly from the land” might be exempt from taxation under such treaties, they did so to distinguish that scenario from cases where an exemption was sought for income earned in ways that do not relate to the land itself. See Lazore v. Comm’r, 11 F.3d 1180 (3d Cir. 1993); Hoptowit v. Comm’r, 709 F.2d 564 (9th Cir. 1983). This case presents the very issue about which those courts speculated. And for the reasons that follow, this Court agrees with their speculation and finds that the plaintiffs have plausibly stated a claim for relief under two treaties with the Native American Seneca Nation.

Ninth Circuit Briefs in United States v. King Mountain Tobacco Co. (No. 16-35956)

Here:

King Mountain Opening Brief

US Brief

Reply Brief

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tobacco Tax Claims against State to Proceed

Here are the materials in Keweenaw Bay Indian Community v. Khouri (W.D. Mich.):

69 Motion for Judgment on Pleadings

73 KBIC Response

75 Reply

81 DCT Order

Cert Petition in Washington State Dept. of Licensing v. Cougar Den Inc.

Here:

Cert Petition

Questions presented:

Whether the Yakama Treaty of 1855 creates a right for tribal members to avoid state taxes on off-reservation commercial activities that make use of public highways.

Lower court materials here.

UPDATE (8/23/17):

Cougar Den Cert Opp

UPDATE (9/6/17):

Reply

 

Federal Court Allows Riverside County Possessory Interest Tax on Agua Caliente

Here is the order in Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians v. Riverside County (C.D. Cal.):

163 DCT Order

Briefs here.

Federal Court Holds Contraband Cigarettes Trafficking Act Requirements Apply to Tribal Corporations

Here are the materials in Ho-Chunk Inc. v. Sessions (D.D.C.):

7 US Motion for Summary J

11-3 HCI Cross Motion

14 US Reply

16 HCI Reply

17 HCI Supplemental Brief

18 US Response to 17

20 HCI Reply in Support of 17

21 DCT Order

An excerpt:

Plaintiffs, tribal-owned corporations engaged in the distribution of cigarettes, seek a declaration clarifying whether certain recordkeeping requirements of the Contraband Cigarettes Trafficking Act apply to Indian tribal entities like them. The Court concludes that the relevant requirements do so apply, and will therefore grant summary judgment for Defendants.

DOI Consultation Notice on DOI Reorganization

Download(PDF): Tribal Listening Sessions on E.O. 13871: Reorganization of the Executive Branch

Acting Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Michael S. Black, invites Tribal leaders to attend one of the listed listening sessions to provide input on improving “efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability” at the Department of the Interior.

DATES

Federal Court Dismisses Claims against Individual Federal Defendants in Indian Tax Case

Here are the new materials in Comenout v. Pierce County Superior Court (W.D. Wash.):

65 Motion to Dismiss

68 Response

69 Reply

70 DCT Order

Tag for prior posts here.

W.D. of New York Dismisses Seneca County’s Counterclaims in Tax Foreclosure Suit

Download briefs and order in the matter of Cayuga Indian Nation of New York v. Seneca County, New York, 11-cv-06004 (May 2, 2017):

Links: Previous posts and further documents