01-8162. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Forms 943, 943-PR, 943-A, and 943A-PR

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 Forms 943, Employer's Annual Tax Return for Agricultural Employees, 943-PR, Planilla Para La Declarcion Anual De La Contribucion Del Patrono De Empleados Agricolas, 943-A, Agricultural Employer's Record of Federal Tax Liability, and 943A-PR, Registro De La Obligacion Contributiva Del Patrono Agricola.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before June 4, 2001 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Garrick R. Shear, Internal Revenue Service, room 5244, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the forms and instructions should be directed to Carol Savage, [phone], Internal Revenue Service, room 5242, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Employer's Annual Tax Return for Agricultural Employees (Form 943), Planilla Para La Declarcion Anual De La Contribucion Del Patrono De Empleados Agricolas (Form 943-PR), Agricultural Employer's Record of Federal Tax Liability (Form 943-A), and Registro De La Obligacion Contributiva Del Patrono Agricola (Form 943A-PR).

OMB Number: 1545-0035.

Form Numbers: 943, 943-PR, 943-A, and 943A-PR.

Abstract: Agricultural employers must prepare and file Form 943 and Form 943-PR (Puerto Rico only) to report and pay FICA taxes and income tax voluntarily withheld (Form 943 only). Agricultural employees may attach Forms 943-A and 943A-PR to Forms 943 and 943-PR to show their tax liabilities for semiweekly periods. The information is used to verify that the correct tax has been paid.

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

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 392,443.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 11 hr., 50 min.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,640,702.

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 28, 2001.

Garrick R. Shear,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.