15-30-316. Failure to file return or report -- order to show cause -- action by department. (1) Whenever a taxpayer fails to file a return or report within 90 days after the due date and refuses to file the return or report within 60 days after written notification or demand from the department, the department may file a petition in the district court for an order to show cause.
     (2) The written notification or demand:
     (a) shall recite the facts and circumstances showing the failure of the taxpayer to file the return or report;
     (b) must be sent by certified mail to the address of the taxpayer as shown on the records of the department and to any other address of the taxpayer known to the department; and
     (c) shall inform the taxpayer that upon failure to receive the return or report within 60 days from the date of the notification or demand the department will seek an order to show cause in district court.
     (3) A petition filed under the authority of subsection (1) must be verified and shall set forth in detail the facts and circumstances showing the failure of the taxpayer to file the return or report and the response, if any, of the taxpayer to the written notification and demand.
     (4) When a verified petition is filed under the authority of subsection (1), the court shall review the petition to determine if the department has made a prima facie showing that an order to show cause should be issued and, if such a showing has been made, shall issue an order directed to the taxpayer to file the return or report within 30 days of the order, or to show cause, at a special time and place, why the return or report should not be filed.
     (5) A copy of the petition and a certified copy of the order must be served upon the taxpayer. Service may be made pursuant to the provisions of Rule 4D(1)(b), M.R.Civ.P. If the taxpayer fails to acknowledge service, the sheriff shall serve a copy of the petition and a certified copy of the order on the taxpayer pursuant to Rule 4D(2) or (3), M.R.Civ.P.
     (6) At the hearing on the order to show cause, evidence produced that the department's records show that the return or the report has not been filed is prima facie evidence that the return or report has not been filed.
     (7) Upon finding by a preponderance of the evidence that the taxpayer has not filed the return or report as required by law, the court may issue a further order compelling the filing of the return or report, and the taxpayer's failure to comply with the order may thereafter be proceeded against as a contempt.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 35, L. 1985.