2013-15362. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 8938

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 Form 8938, Statement of Foreign Financial Assets.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before August 26, 2013 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 the form and instructions should be directed to Gerald J. Shields, [phone], at Internal Revenue Service, Room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224, or through the internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Statement of Foreign Financial Assets.

OMB Number: 1545-2195.

Form Number: Form 8938.

Abstract: The collection of information in Form 8938 will be the means by which taxpayers will comply with self-reporting obligations imposed under section 6038D with respect to foreign financial assets. The IRS will use the information to determine whether to audit this taxpayer or transaction, including whether to impose penalties. The information is also required to begin the running of the statute of limitations under section 6501.

Current Actions: Form 8938 has been completely redesigned.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 350,000.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 4 hours 37 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,627,500.

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 20, 2013.

Allan M. Hopkins,

IRS Tax Analyst.