Wage and Investment Strategies and Solutions Behavioral Laboratory Customer Surveys and Support

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Behavioral Lab Justificaiton for Expedited OMB Approval.doc Justification for No Material/Nonsubstantive Change	2016-09-01
OMB Behavioral Lab WISS Summary page.doc Supporting Statement B	2016-09-01
OMB Behavioral Lab WISS Supporting Statement.doc Supporting Statement A	2016-09-01

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
223307	Behavioral Laboratory Customer Surveys and Support Other-Participant Screener	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1545-2274	ICR Reference No: 201609-1545-004
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: TREAS/IRS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Wage and Investment Strategies and Solutions Behavioral Laboratory Customer Surveys and Support
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 05/10/2017
	Date Received in OIRA: 10/28/2016
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	05/31/2020	36 Months From Approved
Responses	25,200	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	22,050	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: As outlined in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Strategic Plan, the Agency is working towards allocating IRS resources strategically to address the evolving scope and increasing complexity of tax administration. In order to do this, IRS must realize their operational efficiencies and effectively manage costs by improving enterprise-wide resource allocation and streamlining processes using feedback from various behavioral research techniques. To assist the Agency is accomplishing the goal outlined in the Strategic Plan, the Wage and Investment Division continuously maintains a "customer-first" focus through routinely soliciting information concerning the needs and characteristics of its customers and implementing programs based on the information received. W&I Strategies and Solutions (WISS), is developing the implementation of a Behavioral Laboratory to identify, plan and deliver business improvement processes that support fulfillment of the IRS strategic goals. The collection of information through the Behavioral Laboratory is necessary to enable the Agency to garner customer and stakeholder feedback in an efficient, timely manner, in accordance with the commitment to improving taxpayer service delivery. Improving agency programs requires ongoing assessment of service delivery. WISS, through the Behavioral Laboratory, will collect, analyze, and interpret information gathered through this generic clearance to identify strengths and weaknesses of current services and make improvements in service delivery based on feedback provided by taxpayers and employees of the Internal Revenue Service.

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Authorizing Statute(s): None

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	81 FR 59041	08/26/2016
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	81 FR 75191	10/28/2016
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Behavioral Laboratory Customer Surveys and Support

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	25,200	0	0	25,200	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	22,050	0	0	22,050	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The collection of information through the Behavioral Laboratory is necessary to enable the Agency to garner customer and stakeholder feedback in an efficient, timely manner, in accordance with the commitment to improving taxpayer service delivery. The information collected from customers and partners will help ensure that users have an effective, efficient, and satisfying experience while engaging with the Agency’s programs. Additionally, this feedback will provide insights into customer or partner perceptions, experiences and expectations, provide an early warning of issues with service, or focus attention on areas where communication, training or changes in operations might improve delivery of products or services. The proposed studies will allow for ongoing, collaborative and actionable communications between the Agency and its customers and stakeholders. It will also allow WISS to contribute directly to the improvement of program management and services offered to taxpayers. Information obtained through these research approaches is essential, as findings from such studies will be used for program evaluation, process improvement, and to identify taxpayer needs, preferences and behavior.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 10/28/2016

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