A return required by this Article is due on or before the date set in this Article. A taxpayer may ask the Secretary for an extension of time to file a return under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-263 (1939, c. 158, s. 216; 1955, c. 1350, s. 17; 1959, c. 1259, s. 9; 1973, c. 476, s. 193; 1977, c. 1114, s. 6; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 984, s. 7; 1997-300, s. 2.)