(1) In general. The tax levied by this chapter is assessed for the annual accounting period regularly used by the taxpayer in keeping its books, with no proration for a portion of the year in the case of dissolution of domestic corporations or withdrawal from the state by foreign corporations or where a corporation otherwise ceases to become taxable under this chapter. The tax accrues on the first day of each accounting period, to be known as the accrual date, and annually thereafter, and is computed on the basis of the previous accounting period closing immediately prior to the accrual date, to be known as the measuring date.

For all corporations having an accrual date on or after June 1, 1975, the tax is due and payable in full to the commissioner on or before the fifteenth day of the third month following the close of the annual accounting period. With its payment, the taxpayer shall deliver to the commissioner a full, accurate and complete report and statement signed by a duly authorized officer of the corporation, containing such information as the commissioner may require.

(2) Accounting periods. If permission is granted to change the corporate accounting period, as provided in subsection (4) of this section, the corporation shall file a return and make payment of the tax for the period from the end of the twelve-month period for which the tax had already accrued to the first closing of the new accounting period. The tax to be paid in this case shall be based on the preceding accounting period closing and shall be computed by multiplying the ratio that the number of months from the closing date under the prior accounting period to the closing of the new accounting period bears to twelve (12) times the tax as computed on the yearly basis. Subsequent returns will be filed on the basis of the new accounting period in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(3) Newly taxable corporations. When a corporation is incorporated, domesticated, commences business or qualifies to do business in this state, it shall, on or before the sixtieth day following the date of its charter of incorporation (as to domestic corporation), domestication, qualification or commencement of business in this state, make and deliver to the commissioner, in such form as he may prescribe, a full, accurate and complete statement signed by either its president, vice president or treasurer containing such facts and information as may be required by the commissioner in the administration of the tax levied by this chapter. After the first closing of the corporate books, the tax is payable as provided in subsection (1) of this section. No corporation, foreign or domestic, shall be permitted to do business in this state without paying the franchise tax levied by this chapter.

(4) Accounting period not to be changed. No accounting period, other than calendar year, will be recognized, unless before its close it was definitely established as an accounting period by the taxpayer and the books of such taxpayer were kept in accordance therewith. No accounting period shall be changed without the approval of the commissioner.

(5) Combined returns. A combined return of franchise tax, being Section 27-13-1 et seq.; income tax, being Section 27-7-1 et seq.; and the annual report of domestic and foreign corporations, being Section 79-4-16.22, is herein authorized, to be filed in accordance with rules or regulations promulgated by the commissioner. In the case of authorized extensions of time for filing returns, including the annual report of domestic or foreign corporations, the provisions of the Mississippi Income Tax Law of 1952, being Section 27-1-1 et seq., as amended, shall control with respect to extensions of time for the filing of a combined return.

(6) Final return. An organization which begins the accounting year for which the tax is due shall be liable for payment of the full tax, notwithstanding its dissolution or withdrawal prior to the end of said year or prior to the due date of the return.