9. Every distributor or wholesaler required to file a return under this act shall, at the time of filing the return, pay to the director the taxes imposed by this act. Taxes for the period for which a return is required to be filed or for a lesser interval as shall have been designated by the director, shall be due and payable to the director on the date limited for the filing of the return for the period, or on the date limited for such lesser interval as the director has designated, without regard to whether a return is filed or whether the return which is filed correctly shows the total amount of the wholesale price paid for sales to the distributor or wholesaler for tobacco products that are taxable during the period or the taxes due thereon. If the director deems it necessary to protect the revenues to be obtained under this act, the director may require a distributor or wholesaler required to pay the tax imposed by this act to file with the director a bond, issued by a surety company authorized to transact business in this State as to solvency and responsibility, in an amount as the director may fix, to secure the payment of any tax or penalties or interest due or which may become due from the distributor or wholesaler under this act. If the director determines that a distributor or wholesaler is to file a bond, the director shall give notice to the distributor or wholesaler to that effect specifying the amount of the bond required. The distributor or wholesaler shall file the bond within five days after the giving of notice unless within the five days the distributor or wholesaler requests in writing a hearing before the director at which the necessity, propriety and amount of the bond shall be determined by the director. The determination shall be final and shall be complied with within 15 days after the giving of notice thereof. In lieu of bond, securities approved by the director or cash in an amount as the director may prescribe, may be deposited, which shall be kept in the custody of the director who may at any time without notice to the depositor apply them to any tax or interest or penalties due, and for that purpose the securities may be sold by the director at public or private sale without notice to the depositor thereof.

L.1990,c.39,s.9; amended 2001, c.448, s.8.