Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 69. PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

CHAPTER 1. STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF STATE AGENCIES

Part 2. Consumer Committee and Consumer Counsel

Computation And Collection Of Fee In Absence Of Statement -- Penalty And Interest

69-1-225. Computation and collection of fee in absence of statement -- penalty and interest. (1) If a regulated company or an officer or employee of a regulated company fails, neglects, or refuses to file the statement required by 69-1-223(2), the department of revenue may after the time for filing has expired proceed to inform itself, as best it may, regarding the regulated company's gross operating revenue from all activities regulated by the commission within the state for the calendar quarter, quarters, or portion thereof and may determine and fix the amount of the consumer counsel fee due.

(2) (a) When a deficiency is determined and the fee becomes final, the department shall mail a notice and demand for payment to the regulated company. The fee is due and payable at the expiration of 10 days after the notice and demand were mailed. Interest on any deficiency assessment bears interest until paid, at the rate of 1% a month or fraction of a month, computed from the original due date of the return.

(b) If payment is not made within 10 days, the amount of the deficiency is considered delinquent. A 10% penalty must be added to the amount of the deficiency.

(c) The taxpayer may seek review of the department's action pursuant to 15-1-211.

(3) The 10% penalty may be waived by the department of revenue if reasonable cause for failure and neglect to file the statement is provided to the department.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 195, L. 1979; amd. Secs. 8, 19, Ch. 676, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 27, Ch. 811, L. 1991.