(a) The comptroller, a person who formerly held the office of comptroller, or an employee or former employee of the comptroller commits an offense if he discloses in a manner unauthorized by law a federal tax return or federal tax return information that is required to be submitted to the comptroller by any person.
(b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by confinement in jail for not more than one year, or by both a fine and confinement.