(b) Measure of tax. — The measure of tax imposed by this article is as follows:

1. (1) On sales of motor fuel, the average wholesale price as defined and determined in section five, article fourteen-c of this chapter. For purposes of maintaining revenue for highways, and recognizing that the tax imposed by this article is generally imposed on gross proceeds from sales to ultimate consumers, whereas the tax on motor fuel herein is imposed on the average wholesale price of the motor fuel; in no case, for the purposes of taxation under this article, may the average wholesale price be determined to be less than 97 cents per gallon of motor fuel for all gallons of motor fuel sold during the reporting period, notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary. On and after January 1, 2010, for the purpose of taxation under this article, in no case may the average wholesale price be determined to be less than $2.34 per gallon of motor fuel for all gallons of motor fuel sold during the reporting period notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary: Provided, That on and after July 1, 2017, in no case may the average wholesale price be determined to be less than $3.04 per gallon of motor fuel for all gallons of motor fuel sold during the reporting period notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary and on and after July 1, 2017, the tax per gallon may not be less than 15.2 cents per gallon of motor fuel. Any limitation on the average wholesale price of motor fuel contained in this subsection shall not be applicable to alternative fuel.
2. (2) On sales of alternative fuel, the average wholesale price as defined and determined in section five, article fourteen-c of this chapter.

(d) Tax return and tax due. —

1. (1) The tax imposed by this article on sales of motor fuel shall be paid by each taxpayer on or before the last day of the calendar month by check, bank draft, certified check or money order payable to the Tax Commissioner for the amount of tax due for the preceding month notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary. The commissioner may require all or certain taxpayers to file tax returns and payments electronically. The return required by the commissioner shall accompany the payment of tax. If no tax is due, the return required by the commissioner shall be completed and filed on or before the last day of the month.
2. (2) The tax due under this article comprising the variable component of the tax due under article fourteen-c of this chapter on alternative fuel, is due and shall be collected and remitted at the time the tax imposed by section five, article fourteen-c of this chapter is due, collected and remitted.