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.
Categories
Owner Account Information
How do I change my address?
I have had a legal name change. How do I update the name on my account?
How do I update my tax ID?
Why did I receive a request to send Merit a W-9?
How do I fill out a W-9?
I have a power of attorney or agent. How do I update this information on my account?
How do I locate my owner ID?
My Revenue Payments
How do I enroll in, change, or cancel direct deposit?
When are revenue payments issued?
May I request to be paid more frequently regardless of amount?
I have not received my payment. Should I contact Merit for a replacement payment?
My check has not been cashed within 120 days. What do I need to do?
How do I access my revenue statements?
I have received a check from Merit that did not include any detail. What is this for?
Changes of Ownership
1099 Forms
Joint Interest Billing Invoices
How do I setup my Joint Interest Billing account electronically and go paperless?
How much do I owe Merit for outstanding Joint Interest Billings?
Why do I see a negative balance on my Joint Interest Billing invoice?
Where can I find a statement for the convenience netted revenue included on my Joint Interest Bill?
I did not receive my Joint Interest Bill in the mail and need a copy of it.
I have received a check from Merit for my JIB account that did not include any detail. What is this for?
Unclaimed Property
Frequently Asked Questions
Owner Account Information
How do I change my address?
I have had a legal name change. How do I update the name on my account?
How do I update my tax ID?
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?
I have a power of attorney or agent. How do I update this information on my account?
How do I locate my owner ID?
My Revenue Payments
How do I enroll in, change, or cancel direct deposit?
When are revenue payments issued?
May I request to be paid more frequently regardless of amount?
I have not received my payment. Should I contact Merit for a replacement payment?
My check has not been cashed within 120 days. What do I need to do?
How do I access my revenue statements?
I have received a check from Merit that did not include any detail. What is this for?
Changes of Ownership
The owner is now deceased, what do I do to transfer their ownership?
I would like to transfer my ownership. How do I do this?
I have acquired some ownership, what do I need to provide?
The trustee of the trust has changed. How do I update this information?
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?
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?
How much do I owe Merit for outstanding Joint Interest Billings?
Why do I see a negative balance on my Joint Interest Billing invoice?
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?
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.
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.