Penalty for failure to file a return and procedure for review of imposition of

penalty. 1. The term "taxpayer" includes any person or entity that is responsible for filing a tax or information return. 2. For purposes of this section, the terms "tax return" and "information return" have the meanings provided in section 81-09-02-01. 3. A taxpayer is subject to a penalty of twenty-five dollars per day for each well or unit for which a tax or information return has not been filed. This penalty must be collected in the same manner as gross production taxes and apportioned as other gross production tax penalties. 4. The commissioner shall notify the taxpayer of imposition of the failure to file penalty by certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice of imposition of failure to file penalty must specify the wells or units for which a return was not filed, the reporting periods for which a return was not filed, and the amount of penalty assessed. If the taxpayer objects to the imposition of the penalty, the taxpayer may protest by filing an administrative complaint with the commissioner within thirty days of the notice of imposition of penalty for failure to file a return. The taxpayer will be granted an automatic extension of thirty days to file a complaint, provided the taxpayer makes a request for extension within thirty days of the notice. If the taxpayer fails to protest within thirty days of the notice and the penalty remains unpaid, the commissioner may bring an action to collect the penalty for failure to file a return. The two-year statute of limitations on actions under North Dakota Century Code section 28-01-18 applies to imposition of this penalty by the commissioner and to protest of this penalty by the taxpayer. 5. The taxpayer may request a hearing before the commissioner relating to the imposition of the penalty for failure to file a return. An administrative complaint filed by the taxpayer must be served personally or by certified mail. The provisions of North Dakota Century Code chapter 28-32 apply to and govern the filing of the complaint and the administrative hearing, including any appeal from a decision rendered by the commissioner.