02-2156. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Forms 1042, 1042-S, and 1042-T

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 Form 1042, Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source Income of Foreign Persons, Form 1042-S, Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding, and Form 1042-T, Annual Summary and Transmittal of Forms 1042-S.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before April 1, 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 form and instructions should be directed to Carol Savage, [phone], or through the internet ([e-mail].), Internal Revenue Service, room 5242, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Form 1042, Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source Income of Foreign Persons, Form 1042-S, Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding, and Form 1042-T, Annual Summary and Transmittal of Forms 1042-T.

OMB Number: 1545-0096.

Form Numbers: 1042, 1042-S, and 1042-T.

Abstract: Form 1042 is used by withholding agents to report tax withheld at source on payment of certain income paid to nonresident alien individuals, foreign partnerships, or foreign corporations. The IRS uses this information to verify that the correct amount of tax has been withheld and paid to the United States. Form 1042-S is used to report certain income and tax withheld information to nonresident alien payees and beneficial owners. Form 1042-T is used by withholding agents to transmit Forms 1042-S to the IRS.

Current Actions: There are no changes being made to these forms at this time.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Business or other for profit organizations and individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 22,000.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 46 hours., 52 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,030,980.

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 22, 2002.

George Freeland,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.