Supporting Statement
REG-159824-04
CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
This collection of information is necessary to ensure practitioners comply with minimum standards when writing a State or local bond opinion. A practitioner may provide a single opinion or may provide a combination of documents, but only if the documents, taken together, satisfy the requirements of 31 CFR § 10.39. In addition, the collection of information will assist the Commissioner, through the Office of Professional Responsibility, to ensure that practitioners properly advise taxpayers regarding state or local bonds.
USE OF DATA
The collection of information will ensure that practitioners comply with minimum standards when writing a state or local bond opinion and properly advise taxpayers with respect to state or local bonds.
USE OF IMPROVED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE BURDEN
We have no plans to offer electronic filing. IRS publication, regulations, notices and letters are to be electronically enabled as a 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
Periodic meetings are held between IRS personnel and representatives of the American Bar Association, the National Society of Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and other professional groups to discuss tax law and tax forms. During these meetings, there is an opportunity for those attending to make comments regarding REG-159824-04.
In response to the Federal Register notice (72 FR 58372), dated October 15, 2007, we received no comments during the comment period regarding REG-159824-04.
EXPLANATION OF DECISION OT 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 ON INFORMATION COLLECTION
31 C.F.R. § 10.39: To comply with § 10.39, a practitioner may provide a single State or local bond opinion or may provide a combination of documents, but only if the documents, taken together, satisfy the requirements of § 10.39. It is estimated that the above requirements will affect 1,500 practitioners per year, with a burden of approximately 10 to 30 hours per respondent, with an average of 20 hours, for an annual burden of 30,000 hours. These estimates are based on an average increased time of 1 to 3 hours per opinion.
Estimates of the annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens shown are not available at this time.
ESTIMATED TOTAL ANNUAL COST BURDEN TO RESPONDENTS
As suggested by OMB, our Federal Register notice dated October 15, 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.
ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Not applicable.
REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN
There is no change in the paperwork burden previously approved by OMB. This form is being submitted for renewal purposes only.
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
No 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 USC 6103.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission |
| Author | Dostaler Heather L |
| Last Modified By | qhrfb |
| File Modified | 2008-01-08 |
| File Created | 2004-12-08 |