2018-13559. Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Requirements Related to Energy Efficient Homes Credit; Manufactured Homes

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 the guidance for taxpayers regarding information collection requirements related to energy efficient homes credit; manufactured homes.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before August 24, 2018 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Roberto Mora-Figueroa, 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: Energy Efficient Homes Credit; Manufactured Homes.

OMB Number: 1545-1994.

Regulation Project Number: Notice 2008-36, Notice 2008-35.

Abstract: This notice supersedes Notice 2006-28 by substantially republishing the guidance contained in that publication. This notice clarifies the meaning of the terms equivalent rating network and eligible contractor, and permits calculation procedures other than those identified in Notice 2006-28 to be used to calculate energy consumption. Finally, this notice clarifies the process for removing software from the list of approved software and reflects the extension of the tax credit through December 31, 2008. Notice 2006-28, as updated, provided guidance regarding the calculation of heating and cooling energy consumption for purposes of determining the eligibility of a manufactured home for the New Energy Efficient Home Credit under Internal Revenue Code § 45L. Notice 2006-28 also provided guidance relating to the public list of software programs that may be used to calculate energy consumption. Guidance relating to dwelling units other than manufactured homes is provided in Notice 2008-35.

Current Actions: There is no change to the burden previously approved. Notice 2008-35 and Notice 2008-36 are related publications that were issued at the same time. While the section 45L credit is not available for new energy efficient homes acquired (by sale or lease) after December 31, 2017, taxpayers may claim the credit on amended returns for three years after the deadline for filing their 2017 tax returns.

Because these notices are still relied upon by taxpayers to claim the section 45L credit and it is plausible that taxpayers will continue to claim the credit on amended returns into 2020.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 15.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 4 hrs.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 60.

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: June 19, 2018.

R. Joseph Durbala,

IRS Tax Analyst.