PS-55-89_Sup Stmnt

4

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

(PS-55-89)

1. CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION

Section 168(i)(4) of the Code authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide rules under which a taxpayer may elect to account for property in one or more general asset accounts for depreciation purposes. Section 1.168(i)‑1(g) of the regulations sets forth the time and manner of making an election under section 168(i)(4).

2. USE OF DATA

The information required by §1.168(i)‑1(g) of the regulations will be used to monitor compliance with the election under section 168(i)(4) of the Code.

3. USE OF IMPROVED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE BURDEN

The collection of information does not involve the use of automated, electronic, or other technological collection techniques.

4. EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DUPLICATION

We have attempted to eliminate duplication within the agency wherever possible.

5. METHODS TO MINIMIZE BURDEN ON SMALL BUSINESSES OR OTHER SMALL ENTITIES

We have been unable to reduce the burden specifically for small businesses.

6. CONSEQUENCES OF LESS FREQUENT COLLECTION ON FEDERAL PROGRAMS OR POLICY ACTIVITIES

Not applicable.

7. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING DATA COLLECTION TO BE INCONSISTENT WITH GUIDELINES IN 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2)

Not applicable.

8. CONSULTATION WITH INDIVIDUALS OUTSIDE OF THE AGENCY ON AVAILABILITY OF DATA, FREQUENCY OF COLLECTION, CLARITY OF INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMS, AND DATA ELEMENTS

These regulations were published in the Federal Register as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on August 31, 1992 (57 FR 39374). A public hearing was held on November 4, 1992. Final regulations were published on October 11, 1994 (59 FR 51369).

In response to the Federal Register notice dated March 14, 2007 (72 FR 11938), we received no comments during the comment period regarding PS-55-89.

9. EXPLANATION OF DECISION TO PROVIDE ANY PAYMENT OR GIFT TO RESPONDENTS

Not applicable.

10. ASSURANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF RESPONSES

Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential as required by 26 USC 6103.

11. JUSTIFICATION OF SENSITIVE QUESTIONS

Not applicable.

12. ESTIMATED BURDEN OF INFORMATION COLLECTION

Section 1.168(i)‑1(g) of the regulations sets forth the time and manner of making an election under section 168(i)(4) of the Code. Section 168(i)(4) provides an election to account for property in one or more general asset accounts for depreciation purposes. We estimate that 1,000 persons will make the election each year, which is estimated to take .20 to .30 hours to complete, depending on individual circumstances, with an estimated average of .25 hours to complete the election, for a total estimated reporting burden of 250 hours.

Estimates of the annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens shown are not available at this time.

13. ESTIMATED TOTAL ANNUAL COST BURDEN TO RESPONDENTS

As suggested by OMB, our Federal Register notice dated March 14, 2007 (72 FR 11938), requested public comments on estimates of cost burden that are not captured in the estimates of burden hours, 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 any response from taxpayers on this subject. As a result, estimates of the cost burdens are not available at this time.

14. ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Not applicable.

15. REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN

There is no change in the paperwork burden previously approved by OMB. We are making this submission to renew the OMB approval.

16. PLANS FOR TABULATION, STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND PUBLICATION

Not applicable.

17. 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 regulation sunsets 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.

18. 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.