2011-15569. 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)). The IRS is soliciting comments concerning information collection requirements related to Instructions for Requesting Rulings and Determination Letters.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before August 22, 2011 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Yvette B. Lawrence, Internal Revenue Service, Room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of regulation should be directed to Joel Goldberger, [phone], Internal Revenue Service, Room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224, or through the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Instructions for Requesting Rulings and Determination Letters.

OMB Number: 1545-0819.

Regulation Project Number: T.D. 9006.

Abstract: This document contains final regulations relating to the notice to interested parties requirement. Before the IRS can issue an advance determination regarding the qualification of a retirement plan, a plan sponsor must provide evidence that it has notified all persons who qualify as interested parties that an application for an advance determination will be filed with the IRS. These regulations set forth standards by which a plan sponsor may satisfy the notice to interested parties requirement. The final regulations affect retirement plan sponsors, plan participants and other interested parties with respect to a determination letter application, and certain representatives of interested parties.

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

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: All Taxpayers.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 271,914.

The estimated annual burden per respondent varies from 15 minutes to 1 hour, depending on individual circumstances, with an estimated average of 55 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 248,496.

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: June 13, 2011.

Yvette B. Lawrence,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.