(1) Any insurer or taxpayer, as defined in RCW 48.14.0201, failing to file its tax statement and to pay the specified tax or prepayment of tax on premiums and prepayments for health care services by the last day of the month in which the tax becomes due shall be assessed a penalty of five percent of the amount of the tax; and if the tax is not paid within forty-five days after the due date, the insurer will be assessed a total penalty of ten percent of the amount of the tax; and if the tax is not paid within sixty days of the due date, the insurer will be assessed a total penalty of twenty percent of the amount of the tax. The tax may be collected by distraint, and the penalty recovered by any action instituted by the commissioner in any court of competent jurisdiction. The amount of any penalty collected must be paid to the state treasurer and credited to the general fund.

     (2) In addition to the penalties set forth in subsection (1) of this section, interest will accrue on the amount of the unpaid tax or prepayment at the maximum legal rate of interest permitted under RCW 19.52.020 commencing sixty-one days after the tax is due until paid. This interest will not accrue on taxes imposed under RCW 48.15.120.

     (3) The commissioner may revoke the certificate of authority or registration of any delinquent insurer or taxpayer, and the certificate of authority or registration will not be reissued until all taxes, prepayments of tax, interest, and penalties have been fully paid and the insurer or taxpayer has otherwise qualified for the certificate of authority or registration.

[2003 c 341 § 1; 1981 c 6 § 2; 1947 c 79 § .14.06; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.14.06.]