Cyprus Amax Coal Co. v. United States
Opinion of the Court
ON MOTION
ORDER
The United States moves without opposition to reverse the judgment of the United States Court of Federal Claims in Cyprus Amax Coal Co. v. United States, No. 97-cv-00068 and remand with instructions to dismiss Cyprus Amax Coal Company et al.’s tax refund claims with prejudice.
In United States v. Clintwood Elkhorn Mining Co., 553 U.S. -, 128 S.Ct. 1511, 1520, 170 L.Ed.2d 392 (2008), the Supreme Court of the United States held that the language of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) requires taxpayers seeking a refund of taxes collected in violation of the Export Clause of the Constitution to timely file an administrative refund claim before bringing suit. Failure to timely file a refund claim in compliance with the IRC, according to the Supreme Court, bars taxpayers from filing a complaint in the Court of Federal Claims even if such complaint had been brought within the Tucker Act’s six-year statute of limitation period. Id.
The taxpayers in this case are in the same position as the taxpayers in Clintwood Elkhorn. The taxpayers were assessed taxes on coal exports under 26 U.S.C. § 4121(a)(1). After § 4121(a)(1)
Because the Court of Federal Claims’ determination that the taxpayers could bring a complaint under the Tucker Act is incorrect under Clintwood Elkhorn, we agree with the United States that the judgment below must be reversed. We further agree with the United States that remand is required for the court to revise its judgment in accordance with Clintwood Elkhom.
Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED THAT:
(1) The stay of proceedings is lifted.
(2) The motion is granted. The judgment of the Court of Federal Claims is reversed. The case is remanded for the court to revise its judgment accordingly.
(3) Each side shall bear its own costs.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- CYPRUS AMAX COAL COMPANY and Cyprus Western Coal Company v. UNITED STATES, Defendant-Cross
- Status
- Published