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.

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 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.

Ninth Circuit Materials in United States v. King Mountain Tobacco Co. (Nos. 14-36055, 16-35607)

Here:

Opening Brief

Appellee Brief

Reply Brief

Lower court materials here.

Summary Judgment Motions in Agua Caliente Tax Dispute

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

144 Agua Caliente Motion

149-1 Desert Water Agency Motion

150 County Motion

153 Agua Caliente Reply

155 County Reply

156 Desert Water Agency Reply

Prior posts here.

Updates in Comenout Litigation

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

46 Motion to File Third Amended Complaint and PI

49 Motion for Sanctions

53 State Response to 46

54 US Response to 46

58 Reply in Support of 46

59 Response to 49

61 Reply in Support of 49

64 DCT Order Denying Motion for Sanctions

63 DCT Order Denying Motion to File

Prior posts here.

Washington SCT Rules 7-2 in Favor of Treaty Right to Travel

Here is the opinion in Cougar Den Inc. v. Washington State Dept. of Licensing.

Briefs:

92289-6 Appellant’s Opening Brief

92289-6 Appellant’s Reply

92289-6 Appellant’s Response to Amicus Brief

92289-6 Respondent’s Brief

92289-6 Yakama Nation Amicus Brief

Haudenosaunee CCTA Defendant May Not Use Indian Law as a Defense to Cigarette Trafficking Charge

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

24 Motion in Limine re Indian Cigarettes

29 Response

47 DCT Order on Motions in Limine