Secretary of State as agent for service of process against nonresident; fee

(1) The acceptance by a nonresident of a license as tax consultant or a tax preparer shall be considered equivalent to the appointment by the nonresident of the Secretary of State as attorney upon whom may be served any summons, process or pleading in any action or suit against the nonresident in any court of this state, arising out of any business done by the nonresident as a tax consultant or tax preparer in this state. (2) The acceptance of a license shall be considered equivalent to any agreement by the nonresident that any summons, process or pleading in the action or suit may be made by leaving a copy thereof, with a fee of $2, with the Office of Secretary of State. Such service shall be sufficient and valid personal service upon the defendant if notice of such service and a copy of the summons, process or pleading is sent forthwith by registered mail or by certified mail with return receipt by the plaintiff or the attorney of the plaintiff to the defendant at the most recent address furnished to the State Board of Tax Practitioners by the nonresident tax consultant or tax preparer or to the last-known address. An affidavit of the plaintiff or the attorney of the plaintiff of the mailing shall be appended to the summons, process or pleading and entered as a part of the return thereof. However, personal service outside of the state in accordance with the statute relating to personal service of summons outside of the state shall relieve the plaintiff from such mailing requirement. (3) Any summons received or provided in this section shall require the defendant to appear and answer the complaint within four weeks after receipt thereof by the Secretary of State. The court in which the action or suit is brought may order such continuance as may be necessary to afford the defendant reasonable opportunity to defend the action. The fee of $2 paid by the plaintiff to the Secretary of State shall be taxed as costs in favor of the plaintiff if the plaintiff prevails in the action. The Secretary of State shall keep a record of each summons, process or pleading served upon the Secretary of State under this section, showing the day and hour of service.