(a) Within two years after contributions or interest are erroneously paid, an employer who has paid such contributions or interest may file a written petition with the department for an adjustment of the payment as an offset against subsequent contribution payments, or for a refund of the payment when the adjustment as an offset cannot be made. If the department upon ex parte consideration determines that the contributions or interest were erroneously collected, it shall allow the employer to make an adjustment without interest. For like cause and within the same period, adjustment or refund may be made on the department's own motion.
(b) If the department finds upon ex parte consideration that it cannot determine that an adjustment or refund should be allowed, it shall deny the application and notify the employer in writing. Within 30 days after notification is mailed or delivered to the employer, whichever happens first, the employer may file a petition in writing with the department for a hearing. However, the right to a hearing does not apply when an assessment has been appealed from and has become final as provided in AS 23.20.220. The petition shall set forth the reasons for granting a hearing and the amount which the petitioner believes should be adjusted or refunded. If a petition is not filed within the time prescribed, the determination of the department as stated in the notice is final.
(c) After granting the petitioner reasonable opportunity for fair hearing, the department shall make a decision on the petition. The decision is final unless the petitioner initiates a proceeding for judicial review in the manner provided by AS 23.20.445.
(d) If not later than two years after the date of payment of interest or penalty an employer who has made such a payment determines that it was made erroneously, the employer may file a written petition with the department to have any subsequent amount of interest or penalties which has been, or might be, assessed against the employer, adjusted by the amount of the erroneous payment, or, if it appears that this adjustment would not be feasible within a reasonable time, the employer may request a refund of the erroneous payment. If the department upon ex parte consideration determines that the payment of interest or penalties, or any portion of it, was erroneous, it shall allow such an employer to make an adjustment in an amount equal to that erroneously paid, without interest, in connection with any subsequent interest or penalty payment which may be due, or, if this adjustment cannot be made, the department shall refund the amount, without interest, from the fund into which the payment was deposited or transferred. Refunds of interest and penalties erroneously collected may be made from the clearing account of the unemployment compensation fund or from the training and building fund if they were transferred to and deposited in that fund. Interest and penalty payments may not be refunded from the unemployment compensation fund. If an employer to whom a refund is due does not file a petition for the refund, the department may make an adjustment or refund of interest or penalties on its own initiative for like cause and subject to the same conditions.
(e) The department shall adopt regulations providing for the disposition of excess contributions paid to the unemployment compensation fund under AS 23.20.130 after notice and opportunity for hearing.