Supporting Statement (Form-W-12)

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
1. CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
Use this form to apply for a PTIN. You need to apply for and receive a PTIN if you are a paid tax return preparer. If you
use a PTIN, you will meet the requirement under section 6109(a)(4) to furnish your identifying number on returns you
prepare. The PTIN cannot be used in place of the employer identification number (EIN) of the tax preparation firm.

2. USE OF DATA
The information will be used by the IRS to establish the identity and good standing of paid tax return preparers applying
for a PTIN.

3. USE OF IMPROVED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE BURDEN
The third party vendor administering the application process will gather most of the information online. A small number
of the overall preparer population will file this form on paper.

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.

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
Periodic meeting 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 Form W-12.
In response to the Federal Register notice (75 FR 70971), dated November 19, 2010, we received no comments
during the comment period regarding these proposed and temporary regulations.

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
We expect to receive up to 1,200,000 responses. We expect the time per response to be 1.22 hrs. Therefore, we
expect the total hours to be 1,464,000
Estimates of the annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens 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
As suggested by OMB, our Federal Register notice dated November 19, 2011, 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 responses from taxpayers on this subject. As a result, estimates of these cost burdens are not available at
this time.

14. ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Since a third party vendor will administer both on-line and paper applications, and since we are not planning to print the
form, we expect the annualized cost to the government to be minimal.

15. REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN
There were no changes made to the document that resulted in any change to the burden previously reported to 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
Se attachment.

18. EXCEPTIONS TO THE CERTIFICATION STATEMENT ON OMB PRA SUBMISSION FORM
Not applicable.

19. REASON FOR EMERGENCY SUBMISSION

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

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Department of the Treasury–Internal Revenue Service