How often must returns be filed? Answer: On or before the 25th day of September, December, March and June for the three calendar months preceding each such return date. However, any utility whose average gross income or gross operating income, as the case may be, for the four quarterly periods preceding June 25 in any year is less than $1,500 may file an annual return on or before June 25 for the 12 preceding calendar months. Any utility whose gross income or gross operating income, as the case may be, for any 12 months' period ending May 31, is less than $500 must file an annual return on or before June 25 for the 12 preceding calendar months.

In whose name are returns required to be filed? Answer: Returns are required to be filed in the name of the utility subject to tax but may be verified by its duly authorized agent.

Many utilities have meter-reading periods which do not coincide with the calendar month. How do such utilities report? Answer: Such utilities may either (a) prorate receipts from sales made or services rendered to conform to the period covered by the return or (b) include in their returns receipts from sales made or services rendered during their usual meter-reading periods. Regardless of the method adopted, receipts from sales made or services rendered for 365 days of each year must be included in returns.

May a utility, not subject to supervision by the State Department of Public Service, which owns or operates several properties, file a separate return stating the gross operating income derived from one or more of such properties? Answer: Yes, if it secures the written approval of the State Tax Commission. Such approval may be secured upon application by the utility, made upon the form and containing the information prescribed by the State Tax Commission. Any change in the number of properties in which utility services are furnished, after approval to file separate returns has been secured, is required to be promptly reported to the State Tax Commission.