03-27172. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for e-Services Registration Tin Matching-Application and Screens for TIN Matching Interactive

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 e-Services Registration Tin Matching—Application and Screens for TIN Matching Interactive.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before December 29, 2003 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to R. Joseph Durbala, Internal Revenue Service, room 6411, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of information collection should be directed to Carol Savage at Internal Revenue Service, room 6407, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224, or at [phone], or through the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: e-Services Registration Tin Matching—Application and Screens for TIN Matching Interactive.

OMB Number: 1545-1823.

Abstract: E-services is a system which will permit the Internal Revenue Services to electronically communicate with third party users to support electronic filing and resolve tax administration issues for practitioners, payers, states and Department of Education Contractors. Registration is required to authenticate users that plan to access e-services products. This system is a necessary outgrowth of advanced information and communication technologies. TIN Matching is one of the products available through e-Services offered via the internet and accessible through the irs.gov Website. TIN Matching allows a payer, or their authorized agent, who is required to file information returns for income subject to backup withholding to match TIN/Name combinations through interactive and bulk sessions. It is necessary for payers to apply online to use TIN Matching, and the information requested in the application process is used to validate them systemically as payers of the correct types of income.

Current Actions: There is no change to this existing information collection.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, and not-for-profit institutions.

Registration

Estimated Number of Responses: 1,320,000.

Estimated Average Time Per Response: 20 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 440,000.

TIN Matching Application

Estimated Number of Responses: 18,825,000.

Estimated Average Time Per Response: 10 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,150,000.

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: October 22, 2003.

R. Joseph Durbala,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.