§40-20-4. Enforcement of article; collection of taxes; statements to be filed and records kept; inspection of records; hearings and compelling attendance of witnesses; rules and regulations.

(a) The department is hereby authorized and directed to administer and enforce the provisions of this article and to collect all of the taxes levied under the provisions hereof. Every person producing or in charge of production of oil and gas shall file a return with the department by the 15th day of the second calendar month following the month of production, on forms the department prescribes which must contain a printed declaration that the information being reported is made under the penalty of perjury, and which must be subscribed by the person who completes such forms, showing the location of each producing property operated or controlled by such producer during the reporting period; the number and kind of wells thereon; the kind of oil or gas produced; the gross quantity thereof produced; the actual cash value thereof at the time and place of production; including any and all premiums received from the sale thereof; the amount of tax due on the total gross production; the portion of gross production payable as royalty and such other information as the department may require.

(b) All persons engaged in the business of severing oil or gas are hereby required to keep full and complete records showing the nature, character, and volume of all such oil or gas severed, the value of such oil or gas at the point of production, the manner in which such oil or gas was disposed of, the prices or the consideration received for the sale thereof and the quantity or volume of such oil or gas stored anywhere within or without the State of Alabama; and such records shall at all reasonable times be open for inspection by representatives or agents of the department.

(c) The department or its duly authorized representative or agent shall have the power and authority to inspect all records required to be kept under the provisions of this article, to conduct hearings and to compel the attendance of witnesses for the purpose of determining the amount of taxes due under the terms and provisions of this article.

(d) The Department of Revenue is hereby authorized to promulgate reasonable rules and regulations relating to the administration and enforcement of this chapter, provided, however, that no rule or regulation adopted or promulgated by the department shall alter, limit, extend or be out of harmony with any of the provisions of this chapter.

(Acts 1945, No. 2, p. 20, §4; Acts 1991, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 91-798, p. 193, §1.)