Cayuga and Seneca counties were expected to file a request yesterday with the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their cigarette tax dispute case with the Cayuga Indian Nation, Syracuse.com reports. Philip Spellane, lawyer for the counties, promised to meet Monday’s filing deadline seeking a hearing from the nation’s top court to hear their appeal. In June, the counties promised an appeal of a May decision by New York’s top court rulin ... Jump to full article >>

The Altria Group, the nation’s largest tobacco company, announced on Tuesday that it would pay $971 million to resolve a tax dispute concerning leasing transactions in the years 2000 through 2003. Analysts said the decision was not surprising. “A big number, but expected,” David J. Adelman, tobacco industry analyst for Morgan Stanley, wrote in a note to investors. The company made the announcement in a filing with the Securities and Exchan ... Jump to full article >>

Gov. David A. Paterson has asked the U.S. Justice Department for a “threat assessment” about possible violence if he were to try to collect taxes on cigarette sales by Indian tribes, including the Seneca Nation. In a letter to top federal prosecutors, the governor also suggests he might need help from Washington in dealing with any unrest by Indian tribes. The unusual request, dated Sept. 23 and sent to the U.S. attorneys in the stat ... Jump to full article >>

The state Supreme Court has issued a ruling that would allow the state to collect higher taxes on cigarettes sold by Osage Nation tobacco stores. However, the Oklahoma Tax Commission said Monday that it already has a new deal with the Osage Nation requiring it to pay a tax of 66 cents per pack. The state tax on cigarettes is $1.03, but tribal stores pay lower rates, ranging from 6 cents per pack for those along Oklahoma’s borders to 86 cents p ... Jump to full article >>