When the title to any gas being severed from the soil, or water, is in dispute, or whenever the producer of such gas from the soil, or water, or purchaser thereof, shall be withholding payments on account of litigation, or for any other reason, such producer or purchaser is hereby authorized, empowered, and required to deduct from the gross amount thus held the amount of the tax herein levied and imposed, and to make remittance thereof to the commissioner as provided by this article.