00-3576. Notice of Determination of Necessity for Renewal of the Art Advisory Panel

SUMMARY:

It is in the public interest to continue the existence of the Art Advisory Panel.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Karen E. Carolan, C:AP:AS, 1099 14th Street, NW., room 4200E, Washington, DC 20005, telephone [phone], (not a toll free number).

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (1982), the Commissioner of Internal Revenue announces the renewal of the following advisory committee:

Title. The Art Advisory Panel of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

Purpose. The Panel assists the Internal Revenue Service by reviewing and evaluating the acceptability of property appraisals submitted by taxpayers in support of the fair market value claimed on works of art involved in Federal Income, Estate or Gift taxes in accordance with sections 170, 2031, and 2512 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

In order for the Panel to perform this function, Panel records and discussions must include tax return information. Therefore, the Panel meetings will be closed to the public since all portions of the meetings will concern matters that are exempted from disclosure under the provisions of section 552b(c)(3), (4), (6) and (7) of Title 5 of the U.S. Code. This determination, which is in accordance with section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is necessary to protect the confidentiality of tax returns and return information as required by section 6103 of the Internal Revenue code.

Statement of Public Interest. It is in the public interest to continue the existence of the Art Advisory Panel. The Secretary of Treasury, with the concurrence of the General Services Administration, has also approved renewal of the Panel. The membership of the Panel is balanced between museum directors and curators, art dealers and auction representatives to afford differing points of view in determining fair market value.

Authority for this Panel will expire two years from the date the Charter is approved by the Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer and filed with the appropriate congressional committees unless, prior to the expiration of its Charter, the Panel is renewed.

The Commissioner of Internal Revenue has determined that this document is not a major rule as defined in Executive Order 12291 and that a regulatory impact analysis therefore is not required. Neither does this document constitute a rule subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. Chapter 6).

Charles O. Rossotti,

Commissioner of Internal Revenue.