A. A tax that may be identified as the "cigarette inventory tax" is imposed on a distributor that has in its possession tax-exempt stamps, tax-credit stamps or tax stamps, not affixed to packages of cigarettes, at the close of business on the day prior to the date on which an increase in the cigarette tax imposed by Section 7-12-3 NMSA 1978 is effective.
B. The cigarette inventory tax due from the distributor is calculated by multiplying the number of tax stamps not affixed to packages of cigarettes in the distributor's possession by the increase in the excise tax. Tax-exempt stamps and tax-credit stamps are not included in the calculation to determine the amount of cigarette inventory tax to be paid by a distributor.
C. The cigarette inventory tax is to be paid to the department on or before the twenty-fifth day of the month following the month in which the increase in the cigarette tax is effective.