§45-33-242.32. Violations; collection; tobacco stamps; rules and regulations.

It shall be unlawful for any dealer, storer, or distributor engaged in or continuing in the business in Hale County for which the tax is levied to fail or continuing in the business in Hale County for which the tax is levied to fail or refuse to add to the sales price and collect from the purchaser the amount due on account of the tax herein provided, to refund or offer to refund all or any part of the amount collected or absorb, or advertise directly or indirectly, the absorption of the tax or any portion thereof. Any person, firm, corporation, club, or association violating this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500). Each act in violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense.

(1) The State Department of Revenue or, as otherwise provided by resolution of the county commission, the Hale County Tax Collector shall collect all taxes levied pursuant to this subpart at the same time and in the same manner as state sales and use taxes are collected.

(2) The tax levied herein shall be paid by affixing stamps that are required for the payment of the tax imposed by Sections 40–25–1 to 40–25–28, inclusive.

(3) The department shall have the same duties relative to the preparation and sale of stamps to evidence the payment of the tax that it has relative to the preparation and sale of stamps under Sections 40–25–1 to 40–25–28, inclusive. The department may exercise the same powers and perform the same duties in the same manner relative to the collection of the tax levied that it does relative to the collection of that tax, as long as it is authorized and directed to do so under the resolution adopted by the commission.

(4) In accordance with subsection (q) of Section 40–25–2, in the event the aforementioned tobacco stamps are not available for affixing to tobacco products packages and containers, or by the authority of a duly promulgated regulation eliminating the requirement of affixing county tobacco stamps, the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue may require a monthly report in lieu of stamps to report the amount of tax due. The monthly report shall be in a form approved by the commissioner and adopted by the department under the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 22 of Title 41.

(5) The department may promulgate and enforce rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this subpart. All rules and regulations duly promulgated shall have the same force and effect of law.

(Act 99-235, p. 302, §3.)