2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 15. Taxation › Chapter 39. Taxation of Bentonite › Part 1. General Provisions › 15-39-102. Semiannual payment of tax -- statement -- authority of department

15-39-102. Semiannual payment of tax -- statement -- authority of department.
(1) (a) The bentonite production tax imposed under 15-39-101 and the tax on royalties under 15-39-103 must be paid in semiannual installments for the semiannual periods ending, respectively, June 30 and December 31 of each year, and the amount of the tax for each semiannual period must be paid to the department within 45 days after the end of each semiannual period. The owner or operator of the bentonite mine shall pay the production tax and the tax on royalty interests.
(b) Unless otherwise provided in a contract or lease, the pro rata share of any royalty owner must be deducted from any settlements under the lease or leases or division of proceeds orders or contracts.
(2) The owner or operator shall complete on forms prescribed by the department a statement showing:
(a) the name and address of the owner or lessee or operator of the mine, together with the names and addresses of any persons owning or claiming any royalty interest in the mineral product of the mine or the proceeds derived from the sale of products, and the amount or amounts paid or yielded as royalty to each of the persons during the period covered by the statement;
(b) the description and location of the mine or mines;
(c) the number of tons of bentonite extracted, produced, and treated or sold from the mine during the period covered by the statement;
(d) the amount and character of the bentonite and the yield of the bentonite from the mine before crushing and drying, measured in tons, yielded to the person engaged in mining and to each royalty holder, if any, during the period covered by the statement; and
(e) the gross yield of value in dollars and cents.
(3) The statement must be signed by the individual or the president, vice president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or authorized agent of the association, corporation, joint-stock company, or syndicate making the statement.
(4) The statement must be accompanied by the tax due.
(5) The tax collected under this section must be deposited in the state special revenue fund for distribution as provided in 15-39-110.
(6) For the purpose of determining compliance with the provisions of this part, the department is authorized to examine or cause to be examined any books, papers, records, or memoranda relevant to making a determination of the amount of tax due, whether the books, papers, records, or memoranda are the property of or in the possession of the person filing the return or another person. In determining compliance, the department may use statistical sampling and other sampling techniques consistent with generally accepted auditing standards. The department may also:
(a) require the attendance of a person having knowledge or information relevant to a statement;
(b) compel the production of books, papers, records, or memoranda by the person required to attend;
(c) implement the provisions of 15-1-703 if the department determines that the collection of the tax is or may be jeopardized because of delay;
(d) take testimony on matters material to the determination; and
(e) administer oaths or affirmations.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 559, L. 2005.