CoalRefundSupportingStatement

3

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

1. CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION

The announcement provides guidance to coal producers and coal exporters that want to claim a refund for the tax paid on exported coal from October 1, 1990, to [date of enactment] pursuant to section 114 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (Act). A refund claim must include certain information that justifies payment of the claim.

2. USE OF DATA

The data will be used by the Internal Revenue Service to determine if a refund claim should be paid.

3. USE OF IMPROVED 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.

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

We will publish a notice in the Federal Register in the near future to solicit public comments on this announcement.

9. EXPLANTION 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 U.S.C. 6103.

11. JUSTIFICATION OF SENSITIVE QUESTIONS

Not applicable.

12. ESTIMATED BURDEN OF INFORMATION COLLECTION

This announcement tells claimants how to make their refund claims and what information they need to submit to substantiate their refund claims.

We estimate that 100 claimants will be required to comply with the announcement’s requirements for making a claim. The estimated burden per respondent for recordkeeping/disclosure is 40 hours to 80 hours with the average burden of 60 hours, for a total estimated burden of 600 hours annually.

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

Estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information are not available at this time.

14. ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Not applicable.

15. REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN

Not applicable. This is a new collection.

16. PLANS FOR TAABULATIONS, STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND PUBLICATION

Not applicable.

17. REASONS WHY DISPLAYING THE OMB EXPIRATION DATE IS INAPPROPRIATE

Not applicable.

18. EXCEPTIONS TO THE CERTIFICATION STATEMENT ON OMB FORM 83-I

Not applicable.

Note: The following paragraph applies to all of the collection 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.

EMERGENCY SUBMISSION

This Paperwork Reduction Act Submission is made on an emergency basis, and clearance is requested by October XX, 2008. Section 114(a)(1)(iii) and (B)Taxpayers have to file their claims by November 3, 2008. Therefore, this announcement should be made available as soon as possible.