(a) General. -- Every person liable for reporting or paying tax under this article shall keep records, receipts, invoices and other pertinent papers in the form required by the Tax Commissioner.

(b) Period of retention. -- Every taxpayer shall keep the records for a tax year for a period of not less than three years after the annual return is filed under this article, unless the Tax Commissioner, in writing, authorizes their earlier destruction. An extension of time for making an assessment automatically extends the time period for keeping the records for all years subject to audit covered in the agreement for extension of time.

(c) Special rule for purchasers of standing timber or of logs. -- In addition to the records required by subsection (a) of this section, every person purchasing standing timber, logs or wood products sawn or chipped in conjunction with a timber harvesting operation in this state shall obtain from the person from whom the standing timber, logs or wood products sawn or chipped in conjunction with a timbering harvest operation are purchased a true copy of the seller's then current business registration certificate issued under article twelve of this chapter or a copy of federal form 1099 for the year of the purchase. When the seller is a person not required by this chapter to have a business registration certificate, the purchaser shall obtain an affidavit from the seller:

(1) Stating that the seller does not have a business registration certificate and that the seller is not required by this chapter to have a business registration certificate;

(2) Listing the seller's social security number or federal employer identification number; and

(3) Listing the seller's current mailing address. The Tax Commissioner may develop a form for this affidavit.