Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 15. TAXATION

CHAPTER 70. GASOLINE AND VEHICLE FUELS TAXES

Part 4. Gasoline and Special Fuel Tax

Required Records

15-70-426. Required records. (1) Except as provided in subsection (6), gasoline or special fuel purchased and delivered into bulk storage for use in motor vehicles on public roads and nonhighway use must be fully accounted for by detailed withdrawal records to accurately show the manner in which it was used. Gasoline or special fuel on hand, determined by actual measurement, must be deducted from a claim and must be reported as an opening inventory on the next claim.

(2) Service stations, bulk dealers, and marinas shall prepare a complete invoice identifying the type of fuel for each withdrawal of gasoline or special fuel for which a refund is to be claimed.

(3) Special storage facilities used for certain periods must be identified and explained. If gasoline or special fuel withdrawn from special storage is used entirely for off-highway purposes and is not used in licensed vehicles, no records will be required other than purchase invoices showing the delivery into special storage.

(4) When no highway use of gasoline or special fuel is deducted from the claim, the applicant shall substantiate purchases of gasoline or special fuel and miles traveled for licensed motor vehicles on request of the department of transportation.

(5) Any person who operates a licensed motor vehicle on and off the public roads for commercial purposes may claim refund of the state tax on the gasoline or special fuel used to operate the vehicle on roads or property in private ownership if the person has maintained the following records:

(a) the total number of miles traveled on and off public roads by each licensed vehicle;

(b) the total number of gallons of gasoline or special fuel used in each vehicle; and

(c) purchase invoices supporting all gasoline or special fuel handled through bulk storage.

(6) The United States government, the state of Montana, any other state, or any county, incorporated city, town, or school district of this state is not required to keep dispersal records in order to claim a refund of special fuel taxes.

(7) An exporter or any other person who transports gasoline or special fuel out of Montana for sale, use, or consumption outside Montana shall maintain detailed and current records of withdrawal, transportation, ownership, and delivery of the gasoline or special fuel to destinations outside Montana as required by the department.

History: En. Sec. 37, Ch. 525, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 16, Ch. 10, Sp. L. November 1993; amd. Sec. 26, Ch. 220, L. 2015; Sec. 15-70-361, MCA 2013; redes. 15-70-426 by Sec. 41, Ch. 220, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 122, L. 2023.