04-14866. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 13559

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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Form 13559, Rating in State-Qualified Private Plans.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before August 30, 2004 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Glenn P. Kirkland, Internal Revenue Service, room 6411, 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 Carol Savage at Internal Revenue Service, room 6407, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224, or at [phone], or through the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Rating in State-Qualified Private Plan.

OMB Number: 1545-1888.

Form Number: Form 13559.

Abstract: The Trade Reform Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-210 created the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) for the purchase of private health coverage for certain individuals. Individuals who claim the credit must be enrolled in a qualified health plan. Only specific health plans qualify for the HCTC including those qualified by a state. A state qualified health plan must be submitted to the IRS by the state's Department of Insurance as meeting the legislative requirements for health insurance set forth in the Trade Act of 2002 and defined in Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 35(e)(2). Any State Department of Insurance submitting a plan as qualified for HCTC will submit Form 13559, Rating in State-Qualified Private Plans to provide information sufficient to determine its compliance with HCTC requirements and provide information about the health plan to those individuals who are eligible for the HCTC.

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

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, and Federal, state, local, or Tribal Government.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 30 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50.

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 24, 2004.

Glenn P. Kirkland,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.