- Kern County's Supplemental Assessment of New Wells and Replacement Wells
- Chevron Sues Kern County over increased taxes
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BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2010 AT 12:03 P.M.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Chevron Corp. is suing Kern County in an effort to recoup millions in property tax revenue the oil giant claims was wrongly assessed. Chevron says the county should not be increasing its property taxes every time it drills new wells on an existing oil field. The county argues new oil wells make the fields more valuable, so the taxes on them should go up. But San Ramon-based Chevron says the value of the oil fields below ground does not change. The company claims in its suit - filed last month in Kern County Superior Court - that it was wrongly charged $3.5 million between 2006 and 2008. County officials tell the Bakersfield Californian the litigation, if successful, could prompt similar suits in other oil-producing counties in the state.Information from: The Bakersfield Californian
(Note: Oil & Gas Companies doing business in Kern County, CA await the outcome of this case in order to settle their pending assessment appeals.)
- CA SBOE Litigation Affecting Oil and Gas Industry - Exerpts from CA SBOE Web-site (Oct. 2010)
- Elk Hills Power, LLC. v. California State Board of Equalization, et al.
- San Diego Superior Court Case No. 37-2008-00097074-CU-MC-CTL Filed - 12/01/08
Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District Case No. D056943
BOE's Counsel
Tim Nader
Plantiff's Counsel
Peter W. MichaelsLaw Offices of Peter Michaels
Issue(s): Whether BOE properly included the assumed costs of emissions reductions credits (ERCs) when valuing plaintiff's property under Revenue and Taxation Code section 110.
Audit/Tax Period: 2004-2008
Amount: Unspecified
Status: The court ordered summary judgment in favor of BOE. Plaintiff's Notice of Appeal was filed on March 9, 2010. The case is currently being briefed in the Court of Appeal.
- Western States Petroleum Association v. California State Board of Equalization
- Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. BC403167 Filed - 12/03/08
Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District No. B225932
BOE's Counsel
Brian Wesley
Plantiff's Counsel
Cris K. O'NeallCahill, Davis & O'Neall, LLP.
Issue(s): Whether BOE's Property Tax Rule 474 is valid (Government Code section 11340 et seq.; Revenue and Taxation Code section 51; Government Code section 15606; Title 18 California Code of Regulations, sections 461 and 324; California Constitution Article III, section 1; and Article XIIIA sections 1, 2, and 3.)
Audit/Tax Period: None
Amount: Unspecified
Status: On March 29, 2010, the court issued its Order on Submitted Matter denying BOE's Motion for Summary Judgment and granting summary judgment to WSPA. Judgment in favor of plaintiff was entered April 27, 2010. BOE's Notice of Appeal was filed on July 19, 2010.
(Note: Oil & Gas Companies doing business in California should take note of the litigation below. Both cases could affect your company's tax obligation.)