04-22374. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Notices 437, 437-A, 438 and 466

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 Notices 437, 437-A, 438 and 466, Notice of Intention to Disclose.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before December 6, 2004 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Paul H. Finger, Internal Revenue Service, room 6516, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the notices should be directed to Carol Savage at Internal Revenue Service, room 6516, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224, or at [phone], or through the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Notice of Intention to Disclose.

OMB Number: 1545-0633.

Notice Numbers: Notices 437, 437-A, 438, and 466.

Abstract: Section 6110(f) of the Internal Revenue Code requires that a notice of intention to disclose be sent to all persons to which a written determination (either a technical advice memorandum or a private letter ruling) is issued. That section also requires that such persons receive a notice if related background file documents are requested. Notice 437 is issued to recipients of letter rulings; Notices 437-A to recipients of Chief Counsel Advice; Notice 438 to recipients of technical advice memorandums; and Notice 466 to recipients if a request for the related background file document is received. The notices also inform the recipients of their right to request further deletions to the public inspection version of written determinations or related background file documents.

Current Actions: There are no changes being made to the notices at this time.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-profit organizations, not-for-profit institutions, farms, and state, local, or tribal governments.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,250.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 30 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,625.

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: September 28, 2004.

Paul H. Finger,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.