211&211(SP).Sup

4

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

IRS Forms 211/211(SP)

Application for Reward for Original Information

1. CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION

Form 211 is a voluntarily submitted, straightforward and simply prepared application by which a person claims a reward for information which enables the Internal Revenue Service to assess and collect taxes from alleged tax violators. Such taxes would not have been collected if the informant had not provided the information. The rewards being applied for are authorized by Internal Revenue Code section 7623, and Form 211 is required to be completed by Treasury Regulation 301.7623-l(f).

Form 211(SP) is the Spanish version of Form 211. It was developed to increase the opportunity for individuals in the Hispanic populated communities to provide information to the IRS and apply for rewards. This form is covered by the same Code and Regulation sections as Form 211.

2. USE OF DATA

IRS uses the information to determine and pay rewards, record a claimant's reward as taxable income, and to identify any outstanding tax liability (including a jointly filed return) against which the reward would first be applied.

3. USE OF IMPROVED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE BURDEN

We have no plans at this time to offer electronic filing because of the low volume compared to the cost of electronic enabling.

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

Not applicable.

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

In response to the Federal Register Notice dated March 23, 2007 (72 F. R.

13867), we received no comments during the comment period regarding 211/211 (SP).

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

Number of Time per Total

Form Responses Responses Hours

211 10,000 .25 2,500

211(SP) 1,200 .25 300

11,200 2,800

The following regulation imposes no additional burden. Please continue to assign OMB number 1545-0409 to this regulation.

301.7623-l(f)

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 23, 2007, 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

Forms 211 and 211-SP can be printed as needed from the intranet and internet.

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

See attachment.

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.