54:39-114 Procedure for claiming a refund.

14. a. To claim a refund in accordance with section 12 of P.L.2010, c.22 (C.54:39-112), a person shall present to the director a statement containing a written verification that the claim is made under penalties of perjury and listing the total amount of fuel purchased and used for exempt purposes. A claim shall not be transferred or assigned and shall be filed not more than four years after the date the fuel was imported, removed or sold if the claimant is a supplier, importer, exporter or distributor. If the claim is filed by the consumer, the consumer shall file the claim within six months of the date of purchase. The claim statement shall be supported by the original sales slip, invoice or other documentation as approved by the director and shall include the following information:

(1) Date of sale;

(2) Name and address of purchaser;

(3) Name and address of seller;

(4) Number of gallons purchased and base price per gallon;

(5) Number of gallons purchased and charged New Jersey fuel tax, as a separate item; and

(6) Number of gallons purchased and charged sales tax, if applicable, as a separate item.

b. If the original sales slip or invoice is lost or destroyed, a statement to that effect shall accompany the claim for refund, and the claim statement shall also set forth the serial number of the invoice. If the director finds the claim is otherwise regular, the director may allow such claim for refund.

c. The director may make any investigation necessary before refunding the fuel tax to a person and may investigate a refund after the refund has been issued and within the period in which a deficiency may be assessed pursuant to R.S.54:49-6.

d. In the case of a refund payable to a supplier pursuant to section 12 of P.L.2010, c.22 (C.54:39-112), the supplier may claim a credit in lieu of the refund for a period not to exceed four years from the date the fuel was imported, removed or sold.

e. To establish the validity of claims filed, the claimant shall maintain and preserve for a period of at least four years such fuel consumption records as may be prescribed by the director. The director may require a claimant to furnish such additional proof of the validity of a claim as the director may determine, and may examine the books and records of the claimant for such purpose. Failure of the claimant to maintain and preserve such records, furnish such additional proof or to accede to the demand for such examination by the director shall constitute a waiver of all rights to the claim or claims questioned and such subsequent claims as the director may determine.

f. Motor fuel tax that has been paid more than once with respect to the same gallon of fuel shall be refunded by the director to the person who last paid the tax after the subsequent taxable event upon submitting proof satisfactory to the director.

g. Fuel tax that has otherwise been erroneously paid by a person shall be refunded by the director upon proof shown satisfactory to the director.

h. A refund granted pursuant to section 12 of P.L.2010, c.22 (C.54:39-112) to a person for fuel used in aircraft, shall be paid from the moneys deposited in the Airport Safety Fund established by section 4 of P.L.1983, c.264 (C.6:1-92). Those refunds shall be granted on an annual basis.

i. Upon approval by the director of an application, a warrant shall be drawn upon the State Treasurer for the amount of the claim in favor of the claimant and the warrant shall be paid from the tax collected on fuel.

j. If the State or any political subdivision of the State heretofore shall have been reimbursed and repaid for the tax paid on fuel used for operating or propelling motor vehicles, motor boats or other implements, whether owned or leased by the State or any political subdivision of the State, the State or that political subdivision shall be entitled to retain such reimbursement and repayment, and further claim therefor shall not be required.

k. If fuel is sold to a person who claims to be allowed a refund of the tax imposed by the "Motor Fuel Tax Act," P.L.2010, c.22 (C.54:39-101 et seq.) the seller of that fuel shall furnish the purchaser with an invoice, or invoices, in conformity with the requirements of this section.

L.2010, c.22, s.14; amended 2010, c.79, s.13.