(35 ILCS 450/2-50)

Sec. 2-50. Operator returns; payment of tax.

(a) If, on or after July 1, 2013, oil or gas is transported off the production unit where severed by the operator, used on the production unit where severed, or if the manufacture and conversion of oil and gas into refined products occurs on the production unit where severed, the operator is responsible for remitting the tax imposed under subsection (a) of Section 2-15, on or before the last day of the month following the end of the calendar month in which the oil and gas is removed from the production unit, and such payment shall be accompanied by a return to the Department showing the gross quantity of oil or gas removed during the month for which the return is filed, the price paid therefor, and if no price is paid therefor, the value of the oil and gas, a description of the production unit from which such oil or gas was severed, and the amount of tax. The Department may require any additional information it may deem necessary for the proper administration of this Act.

(b) Operators shall file all returns electronically in the manner prescribed by the Department unless, as provided by rule, the Department grants an exception upon petition of an operator. Operators shall make all payments of that tax to the Department by electronic funds transfer unless, as provided by rule, the Department grants an exception upon petition of an operator. Operators' returns must be accompanied by appropriate computer generated magnetic media supporting schedule data in the format required by the Department, unless, as provided by rule, the Department grants an exception upon petition of a purchaser.

(c) Any operator who makes a monetary payment to a producer for his or her portion of the value of products from a production unit shall withhold from such payment the amount of tax due from the producer. Any operator who pays any tax due from a producer shall be entitled to reimbursement from the producer for the tax so paid and may take credit for such amount from any monetary payment to the producer for the value of products. To the extent that an operator required to collect the tax imposed by this Act has actually collected that tax, such tax is held in trust for the benefit of the State of Illinois.

(d) In the event the operator fails to make payment of the tax to the State as required herein, the operator shall be liable for the tax. A producer shall be entitled to bring an action against such operator to recover the amount of tax so withheld together with penalties and interest which may have accrued by failure to make such payment. A producer shall be entitled to all attorney fees and court costs incurred in such action. To the extent that a producer liable for the tax imposed by this Act collects the tax, and any penalties and interest, from an operator, such tax, penalties, and interest are held in trust by the producer for the benefit of the State of Illinois.

(e) When the title to any oil or gas severed from the earth or water is in dispute and the operator of such oil or gas is withholding payments on account of litigation, or for any other reason, such operator is hereby authorized, empowered and required to deduct from the gross amount thus held the amount of the tax imposed and to make remittance thereof to the Department as provided in this Section.

(f) An operator required to file a return and pay the tax under this Section shall register with the Department. Application for a certificate of registration shall be made to the Department upon forms furnished by the Department and shall contain any reasonable information the Department may require. Upon receipt of the application for a certificate of registration in proper form, the Department shall issue to the applicant a certificate of registration.

(g) If oil or gas is transported off the production unit where severed by the operator and sold to a purchaser or refiner, the State shall have a lien on all the oil or gas severed from the production unit in this State in the hands of the operator, the first or any subsequent purchaser thereof, or refiner to secure the payment of the tax. If a lien is filed by the Department, the purchaser or refiner shall withhold from the operator the amount of tax, penalty and interest identified in the lien.

(h) If any payment provided for in this Section exceeds the operator's liabilities under this Act, as shown on an original return, the operator may credit such excess payment against liability subsequently to be remitted to the Department under this Act, in accordance with reasonable rules adopted by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 100-1171, eff. 1-4-19.)