20. a. A combined group shall file a combined unitary tax return under this section in the form and manner prescribed by the director. The managerial member of the combined group shall file the combined unitary tax return on behalf of the taxable members of the combined group and shall pay the tax on behalf of such taxable members. The managerial member is authorized to file taxable member returns, file taxable member extensions for filing, pay taxable member liabilities, receive taxable member findings, assessments, and notices, make and receive taxable member claims, or file taxable member protests and appeals.

b. The privilege period for which the group shall file shall be determined as the privilege period of the managerial member. If a member of a combined group has a different fiscal or calendar accounting period from the group privilege period, that member with a different period shall report amounts from its return for its fiscal or calendar accounting year that ends during the group privilege period, provided no such reporting of amounts shall be required of such member until its first privilege period beginning on or after the first day of the initial privilege period of the managerial member for which a combined unitary tax return is required under this section and sections 18, 19 and 23 of P.L.2018, c.48 (C.54:10A-4.6, C. 54:10A-4.7 and C. 54:10A-4.11).

c. Each taxable member of a combined group shall be jointly and severally liable for the tax due from any taxable member pursuant to P.L.1945, c.162 (C. 54:10A-1 et seq.), whether or not that tax has been self-assessed, and for any interest, penalties or additions to tax due from any taxable member under P.L.1945, c.162 (C. 54:10A-1 et seq.).

d. If a combined group is eligible to select the managerial member of the combined group, notice of the selection shall be submitted in written form to the director not later than the due date, or, if an extension of time to file has been requested and granted, not later than the extended due date of the combined unitary tax return for the initial privilege period for which such return is required. The subsequent selection of another designated taxable member shall be subject to the approval of the director.

e. For purposes of this section:

(1) Any notice shall be sent to the managerial member of the combined group at the last known address of the managerial member as indicated on either the last filing required or made under this Chapter or a subsequent electronic or written notice provided by the managerial member under rules prescribed by the director;

(2) The director may, at the director’s sole discretion: (a) make any deficiency assessment against either the managerial member or a taxable member of the combined group; (b) refund or credit any overpayment to either the managerial member or a taxable member of the combined group; (c) require any payment to be made by electronic funds transfer; and (d) require the combined unitary tax return to be electronically filed.

f. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

L.2018, c.48, s.20.