Articles Discussing Tax Liability Under Title VII.

In a short published opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit sided with the Third, Seventh and Tenth Circuits, and split with the D.C. Circuit, over whether a federal district court may award a “tax consequence adjustment” or “gross up” for receipt of a back pay award given in one lump sum.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether severance payments made to employees who are terminated are subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes (“FICA” taxes). In United States v. Quality Stores, Inc., No. 10-1563 (6th Cir. Sept. 7, 2012), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that severance payments were not wages subject to FICA taxes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requested review.