Supporting Statement

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Supporting Statement

1. CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION

The Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (RRA 98) authorized the creation of the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC). ETAAC has a primary duty of providing input to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on its strategic plan for electronic tax administration. Accordingly, ETAAC’s responsibilities involve researching, analyzing and making recommendations on a wide range of electronic tax administration issues.

The Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC) provides an organized public forum for discussion of electronic tax administration issues in support of the overriding goal that paperless filing should be the preferred and most convenient method of filing tax and information returns. ETAAC members convey the public’s perception of the IRS electronic tax administration activities, offer constructive observations about current or proposed policies, programs, and procedures, and suggest improvements.

Each February, the IRS will solicit applications for membership to maintain a balance of new and returning members. Open season will be announced with a notice in the Federal Register. This is a volunteer position with a time commitment of approximately 150 hours, excluding travel. Volunteers should have experience in electronic tax administration. See the application for a detailed list of skills and qualifications. Applicants may be nominated by individuals and/or associations.

2. USE OF DATA

ETAAC members convey the public’s perception of the IRS electronic tax administration activities, offer constructive observations about current or proposed policies, programs, and procedures, and suggest improvements. The ETAAC will also provide an annual report to Congress on IRS progress in meeting the Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 goals for electronic filing of tax and information returns. The ETAAC will research, analyze, consider, and make recommendations on a wide range of electronic tax administration issues and will provide input into the development of the strategic plan for electronic tax administration.

3. USE OF IMPROVED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE BURDEN

We are offering electronic filing when appropriate.

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

Periodic meetings are held between IRS personnel and representatives of various professional groups to discuss tax law and tax forms. During these meetings, there is an opportunity for those attending to make comments regarding the collection requirements related to this committee. Individuals can also send inquiries via e-mail to: [email protected].

In response to the Federal Register notice (77 FR 56912), dated September 14, 2012, 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 U.S.C. 6103.

11. JUSTIFICATION OF SENSITIVE QUESTIONS

Not applicable.

12. ESTIMATED BURDEN OF INFORMATION COLLECTION

The burden estimate is as follows:

Number of Time per Total

Form Responses Response Hours

13768 500 1 hour 500

Estimates of the annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens associated with the information collection are not available at this time.

13. ESTIMATED TOTAL ANNUAL COST BURDEN TO RESPONDENTS

As suggested by OMB, our Federal Register notice dated September 14, 2012, 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

Not applicable.

15. REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN

There are no changes to the burden estimates previously approved by OMB.

This submission is for renewal purposes only.

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 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 U.S.C. 6103.