US, Liberty Global Duel in Filings Over Tax on $2.4 Billion Gain

The US government urged a Colorado federal court to disregard steps in a business arrangement that Liberty Global Inc. says allowed it to claim a major multinational tax deduction, arguing that the steps lack economic substance.

The filing was one of two July 28 motions seeking a win without a trial: the telecommunications company also defended its tax position, arguing that the substance-over-form doctrine doesn’t apply to its business arrangement. Earlier this month, the US District Court for the District of Colorado took a scheduled trial in the case off its calendar, saying the case would be submitted to the ...