§ 142.944 RSMo — Audits

1. The director and his agents or appointees are authorized to audit and examine the records, books, papers, and equipment of any licensee or other person selling, transporting, storing or using motor fuel in order to verify the completeness, truth and accuracy of any statement or report and ascertain whether or not the tax imposed by this chapter has been paid. Except in the case of a fraudulent report or neglect or failure to file a report, additional tax shall be assessed on the licensee within three years after the alleged erroneous report was filed.

2. Records shall be made available to the director during normal business hours at the physical location of the person in this state, or at the offices of the director within three business days after request if the location at which records are located is outside of this state.

3. The director, his agents or appointees, including federal government employees and persons contracting with this state, may, upon showing credentials, inspect and each fuel vendor, motor fuel transporter or bulk purchaser shall disclose, immediately upon request, any shipping paper required by this chapter to be maintained at the physical location where the request is made which may include any place motor fuel is stored or held for sale or transportation.

4. Any person who shall refuse to permit any inspection or audit authorized by this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty of five thousand dollars in addition to any penalty imposed by any other provision of this chapter.

5. Any person who refuses, for the purpose of evading tax, to allow an inspection shall, in addition to being liable for any other penalties imposed by this chapter, be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.