1545-2154 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
Periodic meetings 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 4506T-EZ.
In response to the Federal Register notice (77 FR 71480), dated November 30, 2012, we received no comments
during the comment period regarding Form 4506T-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
Number of
Responses
Form 4506T-EZ
Form 4506T-EZ (SP)

Time per
Response

1,000,000
100,000

47 mins.
48 mins.

Total
Hours
790,000
80,000

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

Page 5

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 30, 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
After consultation with various functions within the Service, we have determined that the cost of developing,
printing, processing, distribution and overhead for the form is $25,000.

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
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

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

Page 6

Department of the Treasury–Internal Revenue Service