2023-06191. Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Comment Request Concerning Information Reporting for Form 15397

AGENCY:

Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Internal Revenue Service, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the 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. Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning new Form 15397, Application for Extension of Time to Furnish Recipient Statements.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before May 26, 2023 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Andrés Garcia, Internal Revenue Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224, or by email to [e-mail]. Please include, “OMB Number: 1545-New, Form 15397—Application for Extension of Time to Furnish Recipient Statements” in the subject line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the form and instructions should be directed to LaNita Van Dyke, at [phone], at Internal Revenue Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224, or through the internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Application for Extension of Time to Furnish Recipient Statements.

OMB Number: 1545-New.

Form Project Number: Form 15397.

Abstract: The Secretary may grant an extension of time in which to furnish to employees/contractors the statements required by law. Currently, regulations allow the taxpayer to request an extension of time via letter, however, no official form exists for taxpayers to submit a request for the extension of time to furnish statements to recipients. This form provides taxpayers with a more structured way of making the request. This will ease the burden on the taxpayers and improve IRS processing time.

Current Actions: This is a request for new OMB control number.

Type of Review: New Form.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Responses: 20,000.

Estimated Time per Respondent:.72 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 14,400.

The following paragraph applies to all 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 if 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.

Desired Focus of Comments: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility.
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., by permitting electronic submissions of responses.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the ICR for OMB approval of the extension of the information collection; they will also become a matter of public record.

Approved: March 21, 2023.

Molly J. Stasko,

Senior Tax Analyst.