ROYALTY OWNERS GUIDE.

Photo Credit

Vaughn L.

Hugoton Basin, KS

ROYALTY OWNERS GUIDE.

Photo Credit

Vaughn L.

Hugoton Basin, KS

Royalty Owner’s Guide

Whether you are new to royalty ownership or new to Merit Energy Company, our frequently asked questions will help you to navigate your royalty relationship with us. Choose a topic to get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Owner Account Information

How do I change my address?
Merit Energy Company has partnered with EnergyLink to offer online access to your account information, the ability to sign up for Direct Deposit, and change your address. You must have received at least one revenue check from Merit Energy to create an account on EnergyLink and electronically request a change of address.
 
To create an account with EnergyLink you may do so by visiting www.energylink.com. Click on the Self Registration Tool to set up your account. Owners can reach out to EnergyLink for help at Help@energylink.com.
 
You may submit an online inquiry regarding your address change by clicking here or send your request to:
 
Merit Energy Company
Attn: Royalty Relations
13727 Noel Road, Suite 1200, Tower 2
Dallas, TX 75240
 
You may call 972-628-1590, select the Change of Address option when prompted.
I have had a legal name change. How do I update the name on my account?
If you have had a legal name change you may submit the following documentation online by clicking here.
 
1. Marriage license, divorce decree, or other court order confirming the name change;
2. Current driver’s license or social security card that shows the name change; and
3. Submit a new IRS form W-9.
 
You may also mail the requested documents to:
 
Merit Energy Company
Attn: Royalty Relations
13727 Noel Road, Suite 1200, Tower 2
Dallas, TX 75240
How do I update my tax ID?
Complete the W-9 form, sign and date, and submit online with the desired TIN by clicking here or mail the form to:
 
Merit Energy Company
Attn: Accounts Payable
13727 Noel Road, Suite 1200, Tower Two
Dallas, TX 75240
Why did I receive a request to send Merit a W-9?

This information is required pursuant to IRS regulations and failing to provide it will result in a 24% back up withholding tax and a $50.00 penalty. A SSN/TIN is considered to be incorrect if either the name or the number shown on the account does not match the name and number combination shown on the records of the Social Security Administration or the IRS tax records.

How do I fill out a W-9?
There are Specific Instructions on page 3 of the W-9 form. Please ensure you have completed the highlighted parts of the W-9 on the sample W-9 form.
 
You may also visit www.irs.gov for more information.
I have a power of attorney or agent. How do I update this information on my account?
You may provide agency documents that prove the agent’s legal ability to make changes to the account by submitting the documents online by clicking here.
 
You may also mail the requested documents to:
 
Merit Energy Company
Attn: Royalty Relations
13727 Noel Road, Suite 1200, Tower 2
Dallas, TX 75240
How do I locate my owner ID?
Owner IDs are ten digits long and can be identified on your Merit statements as follows:
 
1. Revenue Owner IDs begin with 101 and are referred to as the ‘Payee No.’ on your physical check copy, or as the ‘Owner’ number on your EnergyLink revenue statement. On 1099s, your owner ID is located under the ‘Account number’ box.
 
2. JIB Owner IDs begin with 103 and are referred to as the ‘Partner’ number on your EnergyLink JIB.
 
If you require additional assistance, please click here.

My Revenue Payments

How do I enroll in, change, or cancel direct deposit?
Owners can enroll in direct deposit by submitting an “Electronic Payment” form electronically through EnergyLink by going to www.energylink.com. Submission can be done in two ways:
 
 
If you are unable to access the direct deposit module, or if there is an error when entering the last 4 digits of your tax ID, you should submit an updated W9 form online by clicking here or mail the form to:
 
Merit Energy Company
Attn: Accounts Payable
13727 Noel Road, Suite 1200, Tower Two
Dallas, TX 75240
 
 
Please note, Merit Energy Company currently only offers direct deposit to revenue owners whose account number begins with 101. Direct deposit is available for US-based accounts only and is not offered for international bank accounts.
When are revenue payments issued?
Revenue checks are issued on or about the 20th of each month when the owner’s account has a balance of at least $100. Annually, in June, payments are issued for any owner with an account balance of at least $10 that has not received a check for the calendar year.
 
Note: If you are enrolled in Direct Deposit, it may take up to 5 business days for the funds to post to your account, per the terms of enrollment on the EnergyLink website and depending on depositing institution.
May I request to be paid more frequently regardless of amount?
If you would like to receive a revenue check when your account balance reaches at least $25, or annually for amounts below $10, please submit a request here.
 
You may also mail the request to:
 
Merit Energy Company
Attn: Royalty Relations
13727 Noel Road, Suite 1200, Tower 2
Dallas, TX 75240
I have not received my payment. Should I contact Merit for a replacement payment?
You only need to contact Merit Energy Company if you have not received your payment by the fifth business day of the following month, or if you have lost a check. In order to have the funds from a lost check reissued, complete this Declaration of Loss form and submit it online by clicking here.
 
You may also mail the form to:
 
Merit Energy Company
Attn: Royalty Relations
13727 Noel Road, Suite 1200, Tower 2
Dallas, TX 75240
My check has not been cashed within 120 days. What do I need to do?
You have 120 days from the date the check was issued to deposit the funds. For checks that have not been deposited within 120 days, the check will automatically be voided and the funds reissued on a future check.
 
If you require additional assistance regarding your outstanding check you may submit an online inquiry by clicking here.
 
You may also mail the request to:
 
Merit Energy Company
Attn: Royalty Relations
13727 Noel Road, Suite 1200, Tower 2
Dallas, TX 75240
How do I access my revenue statements?
Revenue statements are available online through the EnergyLink website. Follow the instructions on EnergyLink to create an account using information from a recent check you received from Merit. Owners can reach out to EnergyLink for account assistance at help@energylink.com.
 
To obtain your revenue statements and payment history:
 
1. Go to www.energylink.com and select Operated Sender – Operated Invoice/Check Search
2. Select “Revenue” for 101 owners or “JIB” for 103 owners under Document Type
3. Enter your 10 digit owner number in the “My BA” field
4. Select Search to see results
I have received a check from Merit that did not include any detail. What is this for?
If you received a check from Merit that did not contain any detail and you are unable to locate the check on the EnergyLink.com website, you likely received a convenience netting (CNET) check. CNET checks are tied to the owner’s JIB account number beginning with 103 and can be generated if your JIB account has an overall credit on it from netting. The amount of the check is the difference between the revenues and JIB expenses applied to your JIB account. If you are unable to reconcile the check and require more detailed information, you may use one of the following contact options and a Merit Energy Company representative will respond accordingly. Please be sure to include your name, owner number, best contact information and a detailed inquiry to avoid delays in assistance.
 
1. Submit your inquiry here.
 
2. Call our Royalty Relations phone line at 972-628-1590 and select the Joint Interest Billing option when prompted.

Changes of Ownership

The owner is now deceased, what do I do to transfer their ownership?
Merit Energy Company must transfer ownership in accordance with the state laws and statutes where the property is located. In order to process a transfer for a deceased owner, please submit the following information online by clicking here:
 
1. Death certificate;
2. All available probate and/or estate documents for the deceased individual; and
3. Completed W9 form for each distributee(s) or new owner(s)
 
You may also mail the requested documents to:
 
Merit Energy Company
Attn: Royalty Relations
13727 Noel Road, Suite 1200, Tower 2
Dallas, TX 75240
I would like to transfer my ownership. How do I do this?
Merit Energy Company must transfer ownership in accordance with the state laws and statutes where the property is located. In order to transfer your ownership, you will need to provide Merit Energy Company with copies of the recorded conveyance documents (i.e. deed, assignment, etc.) supporting your transfer of ownership. Those documents and/or inquiries can be submitted online by clicking here.
 
You may also mail the requested documents to:
 
Merit Energy Company
Attn: Royalty Relations
13727 Noel Road, Suite 1200, Tower 2
Dallas, TX 75240
 
Note: Merit Energy Company is unable to purchase the interests associated with your account. We also cannot provide legal advice regarding a transfer of ownership. If you need further assistance with the preparation of conveyance documents, you may need to consult an attorney.
I have acquired some ownership, what do I need to provide?
Merit Energy Company must transfer ownership in accordance with the state laws and statutes where the property is located. In order to process the ownership transfer, submit copies of the recorded conveyance documents (i.e. deed, assignment, etc.) supporting your acquisition of ownership online by clicking here.
 
You may also mail the requested documents to:
 
Merit Energy Company
Attn: Royalty Relations
13727 Noel Road, Suite 1200, Tower 2
Dallas, TX 75240
The trustee of the trust has changed. How do I update this information?
To update the trustee, submit a copy of the Trust Agreement/Memorandum along with supporting documentation (i.e. death certificate, resignation, amendment, etc.) evidencing the change of trustee online by clicking here.
 
You may also mail the requested documents to:
 
Merit Energy Company
Attn: Royalty Relations
13727 Noel Road, Suite 1200, Tower 2
Dallas, TX 75240

1099 Forms

When are 1099 forms issued?

Paper copies of 1099s and 1042-S forms will be post-marked by January 31st. For expedited handling of any tax form request, you may submit your request by clicking here.

How can I get a copy of my 1099?
You may obtain a copy of your 1099 by either of the following:
 
1. Mailed by January 31st
2. Available on www.energylink.com
3. Submit an inquiry online by clicking here
How do I read my 1099?

To better understand how to read your 1099 you may click on the 1099 sample.

Who do I contact for questions regarding my 1099?

For questions about your tax form, you may submit an inquiry online by clicking here.

Joint Interest Billing Invoices

How do I setup my Joint Interest Billing account electronically and go paperless?
Joint Interest Billing (JIB) invoices from Merit are available online through the EnergyLink website.
 
Step 1: Follow the instructions from EnergyLink to create an account using information from a recent JIB invoice you received from Merit.
 
Step 2: Once the account is set up you will have access to prior JIB invoices and you will receive an email when a new JIB invoice is ready to view each month.
 
Step 3: If you would like to go paperless, please call 972-628-1590, select the Joint Interest Billing option when prompted, and leave a message stating that you no longer wish to receive paper copies of JIB Invoices. Alternatively, you can submit your inquiry here. Please be sure to include your name, owner number, best contact information and a detailed inquiry to avoid delays in assistance.
How much do I owe Merit for outstanding Joint Interest Billings?
If you have questions about your outstanding balance, you may use one of the following contact options and a Merit Energy Company representative will respond accordingly. Please be sure to include your name, owner number, best contact information and a detailed inquiry to avoid delays in assistance.
 
1. Submit your inquiry here.
 
2. Call our Royalty Relations phone line at 972-628-1590 and select the Joint Interest Billing option when prompted.
Why do I see a negative balance on my Joint Interest Billing invoice?
A negative balance on your Joint Interest Billing invoice typically indicates that your account has been placed in netting due to an overdue balance and/or non-payment relating to your working interest(s). If your account is in netting and your JIB invoice is negative, that means revenue netting exceeded your JIB charges for that month. You may still owe Merit if you have prior month outstanding invoices on your JIB account. If you need more detailed information, you may use one of the following contact options and a Merit Energy Company representative will respond accordingly. Please be sure to include your name, owner number, best contact information and a detailed inquiry to avoid delays in assistance.
 
1. Submit your inquiry here.
 
2. Call our Royalty Relations phone line at 972-628-1590 and select the Joint Interest Billing option when prompted.
Where can I find a statement for the convenience netted revenue included on my Joint Interest Bill?

Revenue netting statements are available online through the EnergyLink website. These statement details are tied to the owner’s revenue account number beginning with 101. Netting checks begin with the letter J and fall under the ‘Revenue’ document type on EnergyLink.

I did not receive my Joint Interest Bill in the mail and need a copy of it.

JIB invoices from Merit are available online through the EnergyLink website. If you are unable to access EnergyLink, please submit a request to receive paper copies of your invoices by clicking here. You may also call 972-628-1590, select the Joint Interest Billing option when prompted, and leave a message stating that you wish to receive paper copies of your JIBs each month.

I have received a check from Merit for my JIB account that did not include any detail. What is this for?
If you received a check from Merit that did not contain any detail and you are unable to locate the check on the EnergyLink.com website, you likely received a convenience netting (CNET) check. CNET checks are tied to the owner’s JIB account number beginning with 103 and can be generated if your JIB account has an overall credit on it from netting. The amount of the check is the difference between the revenues and JIB expenses applied to your JIB account. If you are unable to reconcile the check and require more detailed information, you may use one of the following contact options and a Merit Energy Company representative will respond accordingly. Please be sure to include your name, owner number, best contact information and a detailed inquiry to avoid delays in assistance.
 
1. Submit your inquiry here.
 
2. Call our Royalty Relations phone line at 972-628-1590 and select the Joint Interest Billing option when prompted.

Unclaimed Property

Why did I receive a due diligence letter?

Merit Energy Company makes a good faith attempt to return various forms of unclaimed property to the rightful owner or heirs by issuing due diligence letters, as set out in each state’s guidelines. If we are unable to release funds to the rightful owner due to lack of contact, we are then required by law to remit funds to the state of the owner’s last known address until claimed by the owner(s). If you have received a letter, please return the form within the allotted period to avoid unclaimed funds being reported the state or submit your inquiry online by clicking here.

What are the types of unclaimed property reported by Merit Energy Company?

The common types of unclaimed property that Merit Energy Company is holding includes funds owed to royalty and landowners as well as uncashed check payments to vendors.

How is unclaimed property reported?

Each state has unclaimed property laws that require the reporting of funds held for its residents. Once unclaimed property has reached the state’s required dormancy period, funds are forwarded to the state of the owner’s last known address to be held by the state until claimed by the owner of such property.

How do I research unclaimed property?

To locate and collect funds, contact the state(s) in which you now or have previously resided. For additional information, visit the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.

How do I make a claim to receive my unclaimed property?

You may reach out to the state where your property has been reported to claim your funds.

Contact Us

I have a question that is not included in the above.
If you do not see your question in the frequently asked questions above you may use one of the following contact options and a Merit Energy Company representative will respond accordingly. Please be sure to include your name, owner number, best contact information and a detailed inquiry to avoid delays in assistance.
 
1. Submit your inquiry here.
 
2. Call our Royalty Relations phone line at 972-628-1590. Carefully listen to the prompts to ensure your inquiry is routed to the correct department.
 
3. You may send your inquiry to:
Merit Energy Company
Attn: Royalty Relations
13727 Noel Road, Suite 1200, Tower 2
Dallas, TX 75240
When can I expect to receive a response to my inquiry from Merit?

Owner inquiries will receive a response in the order they are received. Merit attempts to respond to each inquiry within 10 business days; however, response times may vary and exceed such 10-day period depending on the volume of inquiries at any time.

Contact Request

    My request is about:

    Required Fields*

    Owner Account InformationMy Revenue PaymentsChanges of Ownership1099 FormsJoint Interest Billing InvoicesUnclaimed PropertyOther

    My contact information:

    Where can I find the owner ID Where can I find the Owner ID? Owner IDs are ten digits long and can be identified on your Merit statements as follows: 1. Revenue Owner IDs begin with 101 and are referred to as the 'PayeeNo.' on your physical check copy, or as the 'Owner' number on your EnergyLink revenue statement. On 1099s, your owner ID is located under the 'Account number' box. 2. JIB Owner IDs begin with 103 and are referred to as the 'Partner' number on your EnergyLink JIB.