FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Rick Clayburgh, Tax Commissioner   701-328-2770
June 7, 2001

Gas Tax Refund Deadline is June 30

BISMARCK --- June 30 is the last day farmers, ranchers and industrial consumers can apply for a refund of the fuel taxes paid on gasoline/gasohol purchased during 2000 announced Tax Commissioner Rick Clayburgh.

Clayburgh said, “If a taxpayer paid taxes on gas used in non-licensed agricultural or industrial equipment they may have a refund coming.”

For every gallon refunded to agricultural producers, the agriculture research fund, created by the 1997 Legislature, receives four cents.  An additional two cents for every gallon refunded is sent to the Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC).

“Farmers and ranchers need to request the fuel tax refund before funds can be distributed into the research fund,” said Clayburgh, urging agricultural producers to apply for the gas tax refund.

Last fiscal year the refund program raised over $666,000 for agricultural research.  The refund program also provided APUC with funds totaling more than $335,000 during fiscal year 2000.

The Tax Department issued over two million dollars for more than 17 million gallons of fuel to farmers and ranchers during fiscal year 2000.  Over 10,000 gas tax refunds were issued to farmers and ranchers with the average refund over $200.

For more information on the gas tax refund, contact the Office of State Tax Commissioner, Motor Fuels Taxes Section, at (800) 638-2901 statewide, or (701) 328-3126 in the Bismarck-Mandan area.