2019-06903. Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Comment Request Concerning Deduction for Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings

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 deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before June 7, 2019 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Laurie Brimmer, Internal Revenue Service, Room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224. Requests for additional information or copies of the regulations should be directed to R. Joseph Durbala, at Internal Revenue Service, Room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224, or through the internet, at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Deduction for Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings.

OMB Number: 1545-2004.

Regulation Project Number: Notice 2006-52; Notice 2008-40.

Abstract: This notice sets forth a process that allows the owner of energy efficient commercial building property to certify that the property satisfies the requirements of section 179D(c)(1) and (d). This notice also provides a procedure whereby the developer of computer software may certify to the Internal Revenue Service that the software is acceptable for use in calculating energy and power consumption for purposes of section 179D of the Code.

Current Actions: There is no change to the burden previously approved by OMB.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Individuals or households, Businesses and other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 21,767.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 10 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,761.

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: April 2, 2019.

R. Joseph Durbala,

IRS Tax Analyst.