Lcbf Tax Team Recovers $9.5 Million

In 2021, Amtrak acquired by condemnation property in Manhattan that was needed for the Gateway – Hudson River Tunnel Project.  As part of that transaction, Amtrak paid $9,515,500 to New York City for real estate transfer taxes.  LCBF filed a refund claim with the City for those transfer taxes.  LCBF argued that Congress intended to exempt Amtrak from state and local transfer taxes when Amtrak acquired real estate for its railroad operations, and that the exemption applied whether the transfer taxes were imposed on the transferor or transferee.  The City ultimately agreed with LCBF and refunded Amtrak $9,515,500.  The LCBF tax team was headed by Gerry Ford.