(a) At or before the formal hearing, a party may present argument and evidence relevant to the amount of the tax or penalty. The administrative law judge shall administer oaths and permit inquiry necessary to determine the proper amount of the tax or penalty.

(b) Each party and witness shall be present during the formal hearing, except that

(1) with the consent of the taxpayer, the administrative law judge may conduct all or part of the hearing by telephone, audio or video teleconference, or other electronic medium; and

(2) with the consent of the parties and the administrative law judge, all or part of the hearing may be conducted through correspondence.

(c) The taxpayer bears the burden of proof on questions of fact by a preponderance of the evidence unless a different standard of proof has been set by law for a particular question.

(d) The formal hearing before the administrative law judge is not required to be conducted with strict adherence to the Alaska Rules of Evidence. Relevant evidence must be admitted if it is probative of a material fact in controversy. Irrelevant and unduly repetitious evidence shall be excluded. Hearsay evidence is admissible if it is the kind of evidence on which responsible persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of serious affairs, regardless of the existence of a common law or statutory rule that makes improper the admission of the evidence over objection in a civil action. Oral evidence may be taken only on oath or affirmation. The rules of privilege are effective to the same extent that they are recognized in a civil action in the courts of this state, except that relevant documents and other material items that are public records under AS 40.25.100 - 40.25.295 shall be admissible.

(e) The administrative law judge shall make a record of the proceedings of the appeal, including recordation of the proceedings of a formal hearing by electronic or stenographic means.

(f) The administrative law judge may grant exceptions to the requirements of this section in the interest of justice.