2016-20544. Proposed Collection; Comment Request on Information Collection Tools Relating to Wage and Investment Behavioral Laboratory Customer Surveys and Support

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 the collection of qualitative feedback on agency service delivery.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before October 25, 2016 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Tuawana Pinkston, Internal Revenue Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224. Please send separate comments for each specific information collection listed below. You must reference the information collection's title, form number, reporting or record-keeping requirement number, and OMB number (if any) in your comment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the collection tools should be directed to R. Joseph Durbala, Internal Revenue Service, Room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224, or at [phone], or through the internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Currently, the IRS is seeking comments concerning the following information collection tools, reporting, and record-keeping requirements:

Title: Wage and Investment Behavioral Laboratory Customer Surveys and Support.

OMB Number: 1545-NEW. Form Number: N/A.

Abstract: Executive Order 12862 directs Federal agencies to provide service to the public that matches or exceeds the best service available in the private sector. Executive Order 13571 expands on this concept to include recent developments in private sector advances in internet customer service technologies. To assist the Agency is accomplishing the goal outlined in the Strategic Plan, the Wage and Investment Division continuously maintains a “customer-first” focus through routinely soliciting information concerning the needs and characteristics of its customers and implementing programs based on the information received. W&I Strategies and Solutions (WISS) is developing the implementation of a Behavioral Laboratory to identify, plan and deliver business improvement processes that support fulfillment of the IRS strategic goals.

Current Actions: This is a new request for OMB approval.

Type of Review: New collection.

Affected Public: This collection of information is necessary to enable the Agency to garner customer and stakeholder feedback in an efficient, timely manner, in accordance with our commitment to improving service delivery. The information collected from our customers and stakeholders will help ensure that users have an effective, efficient, and satisfying experience with the Agency's programs. This feedback will provide insights into customer or stakeholder perceptions, experiences and expectations, provide an early warning of issues with service, or focus attention on areas where communication, training or changes in operations might improve delivery of products or services. It will also allow feedback to contribute directly to the improvement of program management.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 25,200.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 1 hr.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 22,050.

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: August 18, 2016.

Tuawana Pinkston,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.