Alabama § 8-17-97 - Collection and Payment of Inspection Fee; Filing Requirements; Rulemaking Authority.

§ 8-17-97. Collection and Payment of Inspection Fee; Filing Requirements; Rulemaking Authority.

(a) It shall be the duty of the person first selling dyed diesel fuel, dyed kerosene, or lubricating oil in this state or importing dyed diesel fuel, dyed kerosene, or lubricating oil into the state, on which an inspection fee is due to collect and pay such inspection fee to the Department of Revenue each month in respect of all dyed diesel fuel, dyed kerosene, or lubricating oil sold or imported in the state during the preceding month unless the purchaser is an inspection fee permit holder.

(b) It shall be the duty of the supplier or permissive supplier to collect and pay the inspection fee to the Department of Revenue each month in respect of all dyed diesel fuel or dyed kerosene destined for Alabama that is sold to an importer that does not have a valid inspection fee permit issued by the Alabama Department of Revenue.

(c) It shall be the duty of the supplier or permissive supplier to collect the inspection fee imposed by this article from the licensed exempt entity unless the licensed exempt entity is an entity of the federal government on sales at the terminal rack and remit payment each month in respect of all gasoline or undyed diesel fuel sold in the state during the preceding month to licensed exempt entities other than the federal government.

(d) Each supplier, permissive supplier, importer, first seller, or inspection fee permit holder shall file the monthly returns and monthly remittance, in a format prescribed by the Revenue Commissioner, on or before the 20th day of each calendar month for the preceding month with the Department of Revenue. The taxpayer is required to file an electronic report through the Department of Revenue’s electronic filing system.

(e) The inspection fee provided for in this section shall be paid but once with respect to the same product; but in the event any person fails to make the required electronic report or payment as herein provided on or before the date such payment is due, the Revenue Commissioner shall add to the inspection fee already due interest as prescribed in Section 40-1-44 and any applicable penalties as prescribed in Chapter 2A of Title 40. The Revenue Commissioner shall then proceed to collect the inspection fee, together with the interest and penalties, in accordance with the provisions of Title 40.

(f) The inspection fee, interest, and any penalties added thereto shall constitute and operate as a lien at all times until paid upon any petroleum products sold, offered for sale, stored, or used in the state by the person liable for the fee, and shall be immediately enforceable by the Revenue Commissioner in accordance with established collection procedures of the Department of Revenue.

(g) The Revenue Commissioner shall have authority to adopt and promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to effectuate the evident intent and purpose of this section with respect to reporting, collection, remittance, and payments of the petroleum products inspection fees imposed under this article which shall not conflict with any of the express provisions and requirements of this section.