05-5229. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Regulation Project

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 final regulation, LR-115-72 (TD 8043), Manufacturers Excise Taxes on Sporting Goods and Firearms and Other Administrative Provisions of Special Application To Manufacturers and Retailers Excise Taxes (§§ 48.4161, 48.6416, 48.6420, 48.6421, 48.6424, and 48.6427).

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before May 16, 2005 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Glenn P. Kirkland, Internal Revenue Service, room 6516, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the regulation should be directed to R. Joseph Durbala [phone], Internal Revenue Service, room 5244, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224, or through the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Manufacturers Excise Taxes on Sporting Goods and Firearms and Other Administrative Provisions of Special Application To Manufacturers and Retailers Excise Taxes.

OMB Number: 1545-0723.

Regulation Project Number: LR-115-72.

Abstract: Chapters 31 and 32 of the Internal Revenue Code impose excise taxes on the sale or use of certain articles. Code section 6416 allows a credit or refund of the tax to manufacturers in certain cases. Code sections 6420, 6421, and 6427 allow credits or refunds of the tax to certain users of the articles. This regulation contains reporting and recordkeeping requirements that enable the IRS and taxpayers to verify that the proper amount of tax is reported or excluded.

Current Actions: There is no change to this existing regulation.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

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

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,500,000.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 19 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 475,000.

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: March 10, 2005.

Glenn P. Kirkland,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.