Section 17. (a) An executor, as defined in chapter sixty-five C, of the estate of a resident or nonresident decedent, shall, within nine months after the date of the decedent’s death, make a return with respect to the tax imposed by chapter sixty-five C if, in the case of a decedent dying on or before December thirty-first, nineteen hundred and ninety-six, the Massachusetts gross estate exceeds the amount of the exemption afforded by subsection (a) of section three of chapter sixty-five C, or in the case of a decedent dying thereafter, the estate is liable for any amount of tax under chapter sixty-five C. For purposes of this section the Massachusetts gross estate of a nonresident decedent shall be computed as if the decedent had been a resident. Such return shall be in such form as may be prescribed by the commissioner. The return shall be accompanied by a filing fee as determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven.

(b) If the executor is unable to make a complete return as to any part of the federal gross estate of the decedent, he shall include in his return a description of such part and the name of every person holding a legal or beneficial interest therein. Upon notice from the commissioner such person shall in like manner make a return as to such part of the federal gross estate.