2013-00746. Proposed Collection; Comment Request on Information Collection Tools Relating to Customer Satisfaction Surveys

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 Customer Satisfaction Surveys previously approved under OMB approval number 1545-1432.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before March 18, 2013 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Yvette Lawrence, Internal Revenue Service, room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224. Please send separate comments for each specific information collection listed below. You must reference the information collection's title, form number, reporting or record-keeping requirement number, and OMB number (if any) in your comment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the collection tools should be directed to R. Joseph Durbala, Internal Revenue Service, room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224, or at [phone], or through the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Currently, the IRS is seeking comments concerning the following information collection tools, reporting, and record-keeping requirements:

Title: IRS Customer Satisfaction Surveys.

OMB Number: 1545-NEW.

Form Number: N/A.

Abstract: We are requesting a three-year approval to conduct 41 specific customer satisfaction and opinion surveys, which will allow the Agency to continue to use a data-driven approach to understanding customer satisfaction at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Collecting, analyzing, and using customer opinion data is a vital component of IRS's Balanced Measures Approach, as mandated by Internal Revenue Service Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 and Executive Order 12862.

Current Actions: This is a new request for OMB approval.

Type of Review: New collection.

Affected Public: The information collected from taxpayers, practitioners, and a few small entities, will help ensure that users of IRS programs and services have an effective, efficient, and satisfying experience. In regard to online services, this feedback will provide insights into customer preferences for online information and services on IRS.gov that will meet their needs to resolve inquiries and their accounts on their own. This collection of feedback will contribute directly to the improvement of content and services provided online.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000,000.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 10 min.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 150,000.

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 9, 2013.

R. Joseph Durbala,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.