03-10191. Tax Return Preparers-Electronic Filing  

  • Start Preamble

    AGENCY:

    Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

    ACTION:

    Notice of proposed rulemaking by cross-reference to temporary regulation.

    SUMMARY:

    In the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register, the IRS is issuing a temporary regulation relating to a paid income tax preparer's obligation to retain and furnish copies of income tax returns and claims for refund. The text of that temporary regulation also serves as the text of this proposed regulation.

    DATES:

    Written and electronic comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by July 23, 2003.

    ADDRESSES:

    Send submissions to: CC:PA:RU (REG-141659-02), room 5226, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand delivered Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:RU (REG-141659-02), courier's desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. Alternatively, taxpayers may submit comments electronically directly to the IRS Internet site at http://www.irs.gov/​regs.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Concerning the regulation, Richard Charles Grosenick, (202) 622-7940; concerning submissions, LaNita Van Dyke, (202) 622-7190 (not toll-free numbers).

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Background

    Temporary regulations in the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register amend the Income Tax Regulations (26 CFR part 1) under sections 6107 and 6695 of the Internal Revenue Code. The temporary regulations eliminate the references to manually signed returns in the regulations under section 6695. In addition, they provide that the Commissioner may prescribe, in forms, instructions, or other appropriate guidance, the manner in which preparers may satisfy their obligations under section 6107 to furnish returns to Start Printed Page 20090taxpayers and to retain copies of returns.

    The text of those temporary regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations. The preamble to the temporary regulations explains the temporary regulations.

    Special Analyses

    It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It has also been determined that section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to this regulation and, because the regulation does not impose a collection of information on small entities, that the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, this notice of proposed rulemaking will be submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small business.

    Comments and Requests for a Public Hearing

    Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration will be given to any written comments, either electronically or on paper (a signed original and 8 copies), that are timely submitted to the IRS. The IRS and Treasury Department specifically request comments on the clarity of the proposed regulations and how they can be made easier to understand. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. A public hearing may be scheduled if requested in writing by any person who timely submits written comments. If a public hearing is scheduled, notice of the date, time, and place for the hearing will be published in the Federal Register.

    Drafting Information

    The principal author of this regulation is Richard Charles Grosenick, Office of Assistant Chief Counsel (Administrative Provisions & Judicial Practice). However, other personnel from the IRS and the Treasury Department participated in its development.

    Start List of Subjects

    List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1

    • Income taxes
    • Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
    End List of Subjects

    Proposed Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is proposed to be amended as follows:

    Start Part

    PART 1—INCOME TAXES

    Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read in part as follows:

    Start Authority

    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *

    End Authority

    Par. 2 Section 1.6107-2 is added to read as follows:

    Form and manner of furnishing copy of return and retaining copy or record.

    [The text of this proposed section is the same as the text of § 1.6107-2T published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

    Par. 3. Section 1.6695-1 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:

    Other assessable penalties with respect to the preparation of income tax returns for other persons.
    * * * * *

    (b) [The text of this proposed paragraph (b) is the same as the text of § 1.6695-1T(b) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

    * * * * *
    Start Signature

    David A. Mader,

    Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

    End Signature End Part End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 03-10191 Filed 4-23-03; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4830-01-P

Document Information

Published:
04/24/2003
Department:
Internal Revenue Service
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking by cross-reference to temporary regulation.
Document Number:
03-10191
Dates:
Written and electronic comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by July 23, 2003.
Pages:
20089-20090 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
REG-141659-02
RINs:
1545-BB34: Preparer Penalties--Signature Requirement and Copies of Returns
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1545-BB34/preparer-penalties-signature-requirement-and-copies-of-returns
Topics:
Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
PDF File:
03-10191.pdf
CFR: (2)
26 CFR 1.6107-2
26 CFR 1.6695-1