Individuals and entities that lease land from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in southern California are seeking refunds for an illegal tax.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs finalized a regulation in December 2012 that bars local governments from imposing taxes on Indian land. Some 124 Agua Caliente Band leaseholders are now seeking more than $7 million in refunds from Riverside County, The Palm Springs Desert Sun reported.

One corporation has claimed nearly $1.5 million, the paper said. Separately, the tribe has sued the county over the possessory interest tax.

Get the Story:
Attorney: $7M in refund claims submitted to county (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 4/17)

Federal Register Notice:
Residential, Business, and Wind and Solar Resource Leases on Indian Land (December 5, 2012)

Related Stories:
Water agency seeks to join Agua Caliente Band taxation lawsuit (2/20)
Jeff Grubbe: Agua Caliente Band aims for better community (1/9)
Agua Caliente Band sues county to block tax on Indian lands (1/7)