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Wisconsin Central Ltd. v. United States

Docket No. Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
17-530 Apr 16, 2018 Jun 21, 2018 5-4 Gorsuch OT 2017

Holding: Employee stock options are not taxable "compensation" under the Railroad Retirement Tax Act of 1937.

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

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
10/06/2017Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due November 9, 2017)
10/26/2017Order extending time to file response to petition to and including December 11, 2017.
11/09/2017Brief amicus curiae of Association of American Railroads filed.
12/06/2017Brief of respondent United States filed.
12/20/2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/5/2018.
01/08/2018DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/12/2018.
01/12/2018Petition GRANTED.
02/16/2018Brief of petitioners Wisconsin Central Ltd., et al. filed.
02/16/2018Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)
02/23/2018SET FOR ARGUMENT on Monday, April 16, 2018.
02/23/2018Brief amici curiae of CSX Corporation and Union Pacific Railroad Company filed.
02/23/2018Brief amicus curiae of Norfolk Southern Corporation filed.
02/23/2018Brief amicus curiae of Association of American Railroads filed.
03/07/2018CIRCULATED
03/19/2018Brief of respondent United States filed. (Distributed)
03/30/2018Record requested from the U.S.C.A. 7th Circuit.
04/02/2018Record received from the U.S.C.A. 7th Circuit is electronic and located on PACER.
04/03/2018Reply of petitioners Wisconsin Central Ltd., et al. filed. (Distributed)
04/16/2018Argued. 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.
06/21/2018Judgment 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.
07/23/2018JUDGMENT ISSUED.