Sipple, et al. v. City Of Hayward, et al, $24 Million Settlement in Unlawful Tax Collection Case (March 2016)

Class Action

Conal Doyle represented New Cingular Wireless PCS LLC in an action against more than 100 California public entities that unlawfully collected internet usage taxes from New Cingular Wireless (AT&T Mobility) customers. The case resulted in a published appellate court decision that made new law on the issue of “standing” in tax refund cases. Sipple v. City of Hayward, 225 Cal.App.4th 349 (2014). All of the public entities sued agreed to refund the vast majority of the erroneously paid tax after years of litigation. The total recovery for all plaintiff taxpayers was just under $24,000,000.