Any corporation which fails to make any report or return required by this chapter within the time required shall be liable to a penalty equal to six percent of the amount of taxes assessable thereon if the failure is for not more than one month, with an additional six percent for each additional month or fraction thereof during which such failure to file continues, not exceeding thirty percent in the aggregate. In no case, however, shall the penalty be less than $100, and such minimum penalty shall apply whether or not any tax is due for the period for which the filing of a report or return is required. Such penalty is to be assessed and collected by the Department, in the manner provided for the assessment and collection of taxes under this chapter or in a civil action, at the instance of the Department. In addition such corporation shall be compellable by mandamus to make such report or return.