2019-11434. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Notice 97-45

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 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 Notice 97-45, Highly Compensated Employee Definition.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before August 2, 2019 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the notice should be directed to Sara Covington, [phone], at Internal Revenue Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224, or through the internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Highly Compensated Employee Definition.

OMB Number: 1545-1550.

Notice Number: Notice 97-45.

Abstract: Notice 97-45 provides guidance on the definition of highly compensated employee (HCE) within the meaning of section 414(q) of the Internal Revenue Code, as simplified by section 1431 of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, including an employer's option to make a top-paid group election under section 414(q)(1)(B)(ii). The notice requires qualified retirement plans that contain a definition of HCE to be amended to reflect the statutory changes to section 414(q).

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

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, and not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 218,683.

Estimated Time per Response: 18 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 65,605.

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 28, 2019.

Laurie Brimmer,

Senior Tax Analyst.