OOIDA’s lawsuit results in refund of trucker fees
Posted April 27, 2017
New York’s Department of Taxation and Finance has been ordered to pay over $44 million to the trucking industry as the result of a class action lawsuit by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).
OOIDA challenged the state’s registration and decal fee, $15 and $4 respectively, on the grounds they are unconstitutional. The case wrapped up on April 19, 2017, after being heard by New York State’s Supreme Court.
Crux of the case
OOIDA contends the state’s taxes are unconstitutional and discriminatory against out-of-state drivers. Out-of-state truckers operate their vehicles primarily in other states, unlike New York-based operations. New York truckers, it was argued, accumulate more miles within the state. As a result, out-of-state truckers have a higher per mile tax rate. OOIDA argues this violates the Commerce Clause.
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