04-8123. 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, FI-3-91 (TD 8456), Capitalization of Certain Policy Acquisition Expenses (§§ 1.848-2(g)(8), 1.848-2(h)(3) and 1.848-2(i)(4)).

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before June 8, 2004 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Glenn Kirkland, Internal Revenue Service, room 6411, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the regulations should be directed to Larnice Mack at Internal Revenue Service, room 6407, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224, or at [phone], or through the internet at ([e-mail]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Capitalization of Certain Policy Acquisition Expenses.

OMB Number: 1545-1287.

Regulation Project Number: FI-3-91.

Abstract: Internal Revenue Code section 848 provides that insurance companies must capitalize “specified policy acquisition expenses.” In lieu of identifying the categories of expenses that must be capitalized, section 848 requires that a company capitalize an amount of otherwise deductible expenses equal to specified percentages of net premiums with respect to certain types of insurance contracts. Insurance companies that enter into reinsurance agreements must determine the amounts to be capitalized under those agreements consistently. This regulation provides elections to permit the parties to a reinsurance agreement to shift the burden of capitalization for their mutual benefit.

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

Type of Review: Extension of OMB approval.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,070.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1 hr.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,070.

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: April 1, 2004.

Glenn Kirkland,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.