02-897. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Regulation Project

AGENCY:

Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning an existing regulation, 26 CFR 601.201, Instructions for Requesting Rulings and Determination Letters.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before March 15, 2002 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to George Freeland, Internal Revenue Service, room 5577, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection should be directed to Carol Savage, [phone], Internal Revenue Service, room 5244, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Instructions for Requesting Rulings and Determination Letters.

OMB Number: 1545-0819.

Regulation Project Number: 26 CFR 601.201.

Abstract: The IRS issues rulings letters and determination letters to taxpayers interpreting and applying the tax laws to a specific set of facts. The procedural regulations set forth the instructions for requesting ruling and determination letters.

Current Actions: There is no change to the collection of information in this existing regulation.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: All taxpayers.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 271,914.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: The estimated annual burden per respondent various from 15 minutes to 1 hour, depending on individual circumstances, with an estimated of 55 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 248,496.

The following paragraph applies to all of the collections of information covered by this notice:

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.

Request for Comments

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

Approved: January 4, 2002.

George Freeland,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.