2020-10974. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 8655

AGENCY:

Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), 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 information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The IRS is soliciting comments concerning Reporting Agent Authorization and Revenue Procedure 2012-32.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before July 20, 2020 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Kinna Brewington, Internal Revenue Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Reporting Agent Authorization.

OMB Number: 1545-1058.

Form Number: Form 8655 and Revenue Procedure 2012-32.

Abstract: Form 8655 allows a taxpayer to designate a reporting agent to file certain employment tax returns electronically or on magnetic tape, to receive copies of notices and other tax information, and to submit Federal tax deposits. This form allows IRS to disclose tax account information and to provide duplicate copies of taxpayer correspondence to authorized agents. Revenue Procedure 2012-32 provides the requirements for completing and submitting Form 8655, Reporting Agent Authorization. An Authorization allows a taxpayer to designate a Reporting Agent to perform certain acts on behalf of a taxpayer.

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

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 114,250.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 7 hrs., 10 mins.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 819,050.

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: May 14, 2020.

Martha R. Brinson,

Tax Analyst.