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Wisconsin Central Ltd. v. United States

Docket No.17-530
Op. Below7th Cir.
ArgumentApr 16, 2018

Holding

Employee stock options are not taxable "compensation" under the Railroad Retirement Tax Act of 1937, 26 U.S.C. § 3231(e)(1).

Judgment

Reversed and remanded, 5-4, in an opinion by Neil Gorsuch on Jun 21, 2018. Justice Breyer filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justices Ginsburg, Sotomayor, and Kagan joined.

Proceedings & orders timeline

Oct 6, 2017
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due November 9, 2017)
Oct 26, 2017
Order extending time to file response to petition to and including December 11, 2017.
Nov 9, 2017
Brief amicus curiae of Association of American Railroads filed.
Dec 6, 2017
Brief of respondent United States filed.
Dec 20, 2017
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/5/2018.
Jan 8, 2018
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/12/2018.
Jan 12, 2018
Petition GRANTED.
Feb 16, 2018
Brief of petitioners Wisconsin Central Ltd., et al. filed.
Feb 16, 2018
Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)
Feb 23, 2018
SET FOR ARGUMENT on Monday, April 16, 2018.
Feb 23, 2018
Brief amici curiae of CSX Corporation and Union Pacific Railroad Company filed.
Feb 23, 2018
Brief amicus curiae of Association of American Railroads filed.
Feb 23, 2018
Brief amicus curiae of Norfolk Southern Corporation filed.
Mar 7, 2018
CIRCULATED
Mar 19, 2018
Brief of respondent United States filed. (Distributed)
Mar 30, 2018
Record requested from the U.S.C.A. 7th Circuit.
Apr 2, 2018
Record received from the U.S.C.A. 7th Circuit is electronic and located on PACER.
Apr 3, 2018
Reply of petitioners Wisconsin Central Ltd., et al. filed. (Distributed)
Apr 16, 2018
Argued. For petitioners: Thomas H. Dupree, Jr., Washington, D. C. For respondent: Rachel P. Kovner, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C.
Jun 21, 2018
Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED. Gorsuch, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Kennedy, Thomas, and Alito, JJ., joined. Breyer, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Ginsburg, Sotomayor, and Kagan, JJ., joined.
Jul 23, 2018
JUDGMENT ISSUED.

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