On May 14, 2010, the Alabama Supreme Court affirmed Judge David Rains’ order providing for refunds of illegally collected occupational taxes to Jefferson County taxpayers in the amount of $37, 796,302.06.  All six justices who heard the case concurred in the result.

The opinion clears the way for the processing of refunds to people who work in Jefferson County and paid the tax between January 12, 2009 and August 14, 2009, when the Alabama Legislature approved and Governor Riley enacted a new occupational tax for Jefferson County.

“Overall, we are pleased with this result,” said Jim McFerrin, one of the lawyers representing the taxpayers in the case. “While we still believe that other moneys were collected by the County that were subject to the trial court’s Orders, we will stand by the ruling of the Alabama Supreme Court.  The opinion is well reasoned and it is clear the Supreme Court put a great deal of thought and care into writing this opinion.”

Added Sam Hill, “We anticipate that there will be further attempts by the County to delay the payment of refunds to the taxpayers.  However, we will push as hard as we can to get the refund process moving so that $38,000,000 gets back into the hands of the taxpayers and into the local economy as quickly as possible.”