Supreme Court Declines to Review Ala. Taxes

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a legal challenge to Alabama’s property tax system.

The Supreme Court’s decision Monday means one of the nation’s lowest property tax rates remains intact.

Attorneys representing families in Lawrence and Sumter counties had challenged the fairness of Alabama’s property taxes, particularly the low rates on timber and farm property. They lost in U.S. District Court and at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Then they asked the Supreme Court to review the case.

Attorney General Luther Strange says the Supreme Court’s decision confirms the state’s position that Alabama’s property tax structure does not violate the federal Constitution and that Alabama has a right to structure its own tax system.