(a) An employer is eligible for a rate determination in accordance with the provisions of AS 23.20.280 - 23.20.310 and the department regulations if the employer has been subject to this chapter throughout not less than the four consecutive calendar quarters ending with the computation date and remains subject to this chapter into the calendar quarter which immediately precedes the effective date of the rate. An employer is not eligible for a rate determination under AS 23.20.280 - 23.20.310 if, with respect to a calendar quarter in or preceding the employer's qualifying period, the employer has failed to file contribution or payroll reports or to pay contributions, interest, and penalties required by this chapter within 60 days after the computation date or within 10 days after the department has mailed the employer written notice of the delinquency or of failure to file reports, or of both, by registered or certified mail to the employer's last address of record, whichever is the later date.
(b) A report made arbitrarily for an employer by the department under AS 23.20.230 does not entitle an employer to a rate determination under AS 23.20.280 - 23.20.310, but the report may be used to establish a rate determination in the discretion of the commissioner.
(c) An employer who, because of failure to pay contributions or file reports timely, does not qualify for a rate determination under AS 23.20.280 - 23.20.310 shall pay contributions at the highest rate provided in AS 23.20.280 - 23.20.310.