Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 58.1-1604 and 58.1-1605, any manufacturer of rough lumber who during any one calendar year, manufactures 500,000 or less board feet may elect to pay a flat tax of $460 when the amount cut is between 500,000′ and 300,000′, and a flat tax of $230 when the amount cut is 300,000 board feet or less. The tax shall be payable to the Department within thirty days after December 31 of each year and the manufacturer shall submit to the Department with said tax, forms prescribed by the Department, certifying that he had actually manufactured a quantity of rough lumber in accordance with the foregoing schedule during the preceding calendar year.

Any person who severs for sale 100 or less cords of fuel wood, or 500 or less posts for fish net poles, during any one calendar year may elect to pay the tax due within the thirty days after December 31 of each year and submit to the Department with said tax, forms prescribed by the Department, certifying the quantity of product severed during the preceding calendar year.

Such manufacturer or severers shall not be required to keep and preserve such records as are required in § 58.1-1617.