(a) Unless an exemption is granted under (b) of this section, a taxpayer required to submit a return or report for a tax levied under this title or for any other tax administered by the department shall submit the return or report electronically in a format prescribed by the department. Failure to comply with this section may result in a civil penalty under AS 43.05.220(f). If a law under this title requires a report or return or a portion of a report or return to be in writing, an electronically filed report or return satisfies this section. A taxpayer shall submit attachments to a report or return required under this title electronically.
(b) To request an exemption to (a) of this section, a taxpayer shall submit to the department evidence satisfactory to the department that the taxpayer does not have the capability to submit the return or report electronically. An application for an exemption must be submitted before a return or report is due. An exemption granted under this subsection is valid for five years after the first tax filing due date after the exemption is granted. When an exemption under this subsection expires, the taxpayer may apply for another exemption. An exemption granted under this subsection applies to any return or report submitted to the department.