SUPPORTING STATEMENT
CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
Section 179D of the Internal Revenue Code provides a deduction for an owner of energy efficient commercial building property that is placed in service during the taxable year.
Specifically, this notice sets forth a process that allows the owner of energy efficient commercial building property to certify that the property satisfies the requirements of § 179D(c)(1) and (d). This notice also provides a procedure whereby the developer of computer software may certify to the Internal Revenue Service that the software is acceptable for use in calculating energy and power consumption for purposes of § 179D of the Code.
USE OF DATA
The data will be used by taxpayers (1) to obtain a certification that the energy efficient commercial building project satisfies the requirements of § 179D and (2) to determine which software programs may be used to calculate energy and power consumption and costs for purposes of providing a certification that satisfies the requirements of § 179D.
USE OF IMPROVED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE BURDEN
IRS Publications, Regulations, Notices and Letters are to be electronically enabled on an as practicable basis in accordance with the IRS Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998.
EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DUPLICATION
We have attempted to eliminate duplication within the agency wherever possible.
METHODS TO MINIMIZE BURDEN ON SMALL BUSINESSES OR OTHER SMALL ENTITIES
Not applicable.
CONSEQUENCES OF LESS FREQUENT COLLECTION ON FEDERAL PROGRAMS OR POLICY ACTIVITIES
Not applicable.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING DATA COLLECTION TO BE INCONSISTENT WITH GUIDELINES IN 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2)
Not applicable.
CONSULTATION WITH INDIVIDUALS OUTSIDE OF THE AGENCY ON AVAILABILITY OF DATA, FREQUENCY OF COLLECTION, CLARITY OF INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMS, AND DATA ELEMENTS
We received no comments during the comment period in response to the Federal Register notice (71 FR 48582), dated August 21, 2006.
EXPLANATION OF DECISION TO PROVIDE ANY PAYMENT OR GIFT TO RESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ASSURANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF RESPONSES
Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential as required by 26 USC 6103.
JUSTIFICATION OF SENSITIVE QUESTIONS
Not applicable.
ESTIMATED BURDEN OF INFORMATION COLLECTION
Section 179D provides that the energy and power consumption and costs of commercial building property shall meet the certification requirements prescribed the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Energy.
For taxpayers claiming the deduction under § 179D, the likely respondents are corporations and partnerships. The estimated total annual reporting burden is 3,761 hours. The estimated annual burden per respondent varies from 5-15 minutes, depending on individual circumstances, with an estimated average burden of 10 minutes to include the deduction on the appropriate tax form. The estimated number of respondents is 21,767.
ESTIMATED TOTAL ANNUAL COST BURDEN TO RESPONDENTS
As suggested by OMB, our Federal Register notice dated August 21, 2006 (71 FR 48582) requested public comments on estimates of cost burden, i.e., estimates of capital or start up costs and costs of operation, maintenance and purchase of services to provide information. However, we did not receive and response from taxpayers on this subject. As a result, estimates of the cost burdens are not available at this time.
ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Not applicable.
REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN
Filing figures have been adjusted to reflect the number of business filers only. This results in a net decrease of 7,522 burden hours. We are making this submission to renew the OMB approval.
PLANS FOR TABULATION, STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND PUBLICATION
Not applicable.
REASONS WHY DISPLAYING THE OMB EXPIRATION DATE IS INAPPROPRIATE
We believe that displaying the OMB expiration date is inappropriate because it could cause confusion by leading taxpayers to believe that the regulations sunset as of the expiration date. Taxpayers are not likely to be aware that the Service intends to request renewal of the OMB approval and obtain a new expiration date before the old one expires.
EXCEPTIONS TO THE CERTIFICATION STATEMENT ON OMB FORM 83-I
Not applicable.
Note: The following paragraph applies to all of the collections of information in this submission:
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.
| File Type | application/msword |
| Author | J11FB |
| Last Modified By | J11FB |
| File Modified | 2006-10-30 |
| File Created | 2006-10-30 |