In the event that any taxes or penalties imposed by this article have been erroneously or illegally collected from a distributor or other person, the commission may, upon approval of the tax commission, permit such distributor or other person to take credit against a subsequent tax report for the amount of the erroneous overpayment, or shall certify the amount thereof may be refunded to the distributor or other person in the same manner as provided in Section 27-55-19. Provided, however, in cases where the approved claim exceeds Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), the claimant may not take credit on his monthly reports for more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per month until such approved amount is depleted.
Such refund shall be paid to the distributor or other person forthwith.
No refunds shall be made under the provisions of this section unless a written claim is filed setting forth the circumstances by reason of which such refund should be allowed. Such claim shall be in such form as the commission shall prescribe and shall be filed with the commission within three (3) years from the date of payment of the taxes erroneously or illegally collected.
Nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit a refund or credit for tax paid on lubricating oil not subject to tax or which is exempt from tax, provided there has not been a wilful disregard of the provisions of this article and provided, further, that the claim therefor is filed within three (3) years.