2010-21047. Disclosures of Return Information Reflected on Returns to Officers and Employees of the Department of Commerce for Certain Statistical Purposes and Related Activities

AGENCY:

Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking by cross-reference to temporary regulation.

SUMMARY:

In the Rules and Regulations section of this Federal Register the IRS is issuing final and temporary regulations to disclose return information to the Bureau of the Census. The text of the temporary regulations published in the Rules and Regulations section of the Federal Register serves as the text of these proposed regulations.

DATES:

Written and electronic comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by November 24, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

Send submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-137486-09), room 5203, Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand-delivered Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-137486-09), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, or sent electronically, via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov (indicate IRS and REG-137486-09).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Concerning the proposed regulations, Melissa Segal, [phone]; concerning submissions of comments, Regina Johnson, [phone] (not toll-free numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

This document contains proposed amendments to the Procedure and Administration regulations [26 CFR Part 301] relating to section 6103(j)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). Section 6103(j)(1)(A) of the Code authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish, upon written request by the Secretary of Commerce, such returns or return information as the Secretary of Treasury may prescribe by regulation to officers and employees of the Bureau of the Census (Bureau) for the purpose of, but only to the extent necessary in, the structuring of censuses and conducting related statistical activities authorized by law. Section 301.6103(j)(1)-1 of the regulations provides an itemized description of the items of return information authorized to be disclosed for this purpose. This document contains proposed regulations authorizing the disclosure of additional items requested by the Secretary of Commerce. The text of temporary regulations published in this issue of the Federal Register also serves as the text of these proposed regulations. The preamble to the temporary regulations explains the temporary regulations.

Special Analyses

It has been determined this notice of proposed rulemaking is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It also has been determined that section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedures Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these regulations, and because the regulation does not impose a collection of information on small entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, this regulation has been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small business.

Comments and Requests for Public Hearing

Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration will be given to any written (a signed original and 8 copies) or electronic comments that are timely submitted to the IRS. The IRS and Treasury Department request comments on the clarity of the proposed rules and how they can be made easier to understand. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. A public hearing will be scheduled if requested in writing by any person that timely submits written comments. If a public hearing is scheduled, notice of the date, time, and place for the public hearing will be published in the Federal Register.

Drafting Information

The principal author of these proposed regulations is Melissa Segal, Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure & Administration).

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 301

• Employment taxes
• Estate taxes
• Gift taxes
• Income taxes
• Penalties
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

Proposed Amendments to the Regulations

Accordingly, 26 CFR part 301 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 301—PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION

Paragraph 1. The authority for part 301 continues to read in part as follows:

Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *

Par. 2. Section 301.6103(j)(1)-1 is amended by adding paragraphs (b)(3)(xxix) and (b)(3)(xxx), and revising paragraph (e) to read as follows:

§ 301.6103(j)(1)-1

Disclosures of return information reflected on returns to officers and employees of the Department of Commerce, for certain statistical purposes and related activities.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(3) * * *

(xxix) [The text of proposed § 301.6103(j)(1)-1(b)(3)(xxix) is the same as the text of § 301.6103(j)(1)-1T(b)(3)(xxix) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

(xxx) [The text of proposed § 301.6103(j)(1)-1(b)(3)(xxx) is the same as the text of § 301.6103(j)(1)-1T(b)(3)(xxx) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].

* * * * *

(e) Effective/applicability date. Paragraph (b)(3)(xxix) through (b)(3)(xxx) of this section is applicable to disclosures to the Bureau of the Census on or after the date final regulations are published in the Federal Register.

Steven T. Miller,

Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.