1545-XXXX Supporting Statement

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
1. CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act advances the goals of our existing housing plan by providing assistance
to responsible homeowners and preventing avoidable foreclosures. By reducing foreclosures around the country, the
average homeowner could see their house price bolstered by as much as $6,000 as a result of this plan, and as many
as 9 million homeowners could get help making their mortgages affordable and avoid preventable foreclosures. This
bill makes this help easier to access and take advantage of, helps get credit flowing again, establishes protections for
renters living in foreclosed homes, and establishes the right of a homeowner to know who owns their mortgage. Form
4506T-EZ has been created to streamline the request for individual tax return transcripts. It is intended to minimize
errors on the part of the requestors, ensuring that they receive transcripts in a timely manner.

2. USE OF DATA
The information provided by the respondent will be used to request copies of their most recent tax return.
Many requestors need transcripts for home mortgage loan modifications, for example, the HAMP program. By
minimizing delays in the requests and in processing, participation in loan modification is greatly enhanced. This will
enable the IRS to better provide appropriate information, while increasing the efficiency of taxpayers ability to get the
service needed.

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. However, an automated transcript request can be made by calling 1-800-829-1040.

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.

Form 14029 (Rev. 4-2009) Catalog Number 51944B Page 4

Department of the Treasury–Internal Revenue Service

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 Form 4506-EZ.

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

Form 4506-EZ

Number of
Responses

Time per
Response

1,000,000

47 mins.

Total
Hours
790,000

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

Form 14029 (Rev. 4-2009) Catalog Number 51944B

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Department of the Treasury–Internal Revenue Service

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
The collection of information does not require a form. Therefore, the estimated annualized cost to the government is
minimal or none.

15. REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN
This is a new form.

16. PLANS FOR TABULATION, STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND PUBLICATION
N/A

17. REASONS WHY DISPLAYING THE OMB EXPIRATION DATE IS INAPPROPRIATE
See attached.

18. EXCEPTIONS TO THE CERTIFICATION STATEMENT ON OMB PRA SUBMISSION FORM
N/A.
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.

19. REASON FOR EMERGENCY SUBMISSION
The Obama Administration has launched a coordinated effort across federal and state government and the private
sector to target mortgage loan modification fraud and foreclosure rescue scams. The Administration introduced a
comprehensive Financial Stability Plan to address the key problems. A critical piece of that effort is Making Home
Affordable Program. Treasury has determined that a new form is immediately needed to ensure that HAMP
participants timely receive their correct tax information.

Form 14029 (Rev. 4-2009) Catalog Number 51944B

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Department of the Treasury–Internal Revenue Service