RG252936_Sup Doc

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

1. CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION

Section 7623 of the Internal Revenue Code provides the Secretary with authority, by regulation, to pay rewards for information leading to the detection and punishment of violations of the internal revenue laws. The regulations prescribed by the Secretary are set forth in section 301.7623-1 of the Income Tax Regulations.

The regulations explain the procedure for submitting information that relates to violations of the internal revenue laws. The regulations also require a person claiming a reward for information to provide, in certain circumstances, identification or evidence that the person is the proper claimant.

2. USE OF DATA

The Internal Revenue Service will use the information relating to violations of the internal revenue laws to detect and prosecute those violations. The Service will use the identification or evidence that a person claiming a reward provides to ensure that the person is the proper claimant.

3. USE OF IMPROVED INFORMATION 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 whenever 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

A notice of proposed rulemaking (62 FR 53274) was published simultaneously with temporary and final regulations (62 FR 53230) in the Federal Register on October 14, 1997. The final regulations were published in the Federal Register on August 21, 1998 (63 FR 44777).

In response to the Federal Register notice dated November 5, 2009 (74 FR 57396), we received no comments during the comment period regarding Regulation 252936-96.

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 301.7623-1(b)(3) requires a claimant on behalf of a deceased informant to attach to the claim for reward evidence of the claimant's authority to act as the legal representative of the deceased. Section 301.7623-1(d) explains the procedure for the provision of information relating to violations of the internal revenue laws. Section 301.7623-1(f) requires a claimant to provide proof of identity in cases where information was furnished in a name other than the informant's true name. We estimate that an annual total of 10,000 persons that have submitted information will claim rewards for the provision of the information. We estimate an average annual reporting burden per person of 3 hours. The total annual burden is 30,000 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, the Federal Register notice dated November 5, 2009, 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 USC 6103.