2012-23530. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Revenue Procedure 2011-49

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 Revenue Procedure 2011-49, Master and Prototype and Volume Submitter Plans.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before November 26, 2012 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Yvette 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 revenue procedure should be directed to Allan Hopkins, [phone], Internal Revenue Service, Room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224, or through the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Master and Prototype and Volume Submitter Plans.

OMB Number: 1545-1674.

Revenue Procedure Number: Revenue Procedure 2011-49.

Abstract: The master and prototype and volume submitter revenue procedure sets forth the procedures for sponsors of master and prototype and volume submitter pension, profit-sharing and annuity plans to request an opinion letter or an advisory letter from the Internal Revenue Service that the form of a master or prototype plan or volume submitter plan meets the requirements of section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The information requested in sections 5.11, 8.02, 11.02, 12, 14.05 15.02, 18, and 24 of the master and prototype revenue procedure is in addition to the information required to be submitted with Forms 4461 (Application for Approval of Master or Prototype Defined Contribution Plan), 4461-A (Application for Approval of Master or Prototype Defined Benefit Plan) and 4461-B (Application for Approval of Master or Prototype or Plan (Mass Submitter Adopting Sponsor)). This information is needed in order to enable the Employee Plans function of the Service's Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division to issue an opinion letter or an advisory letter.

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

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-profit organizations, not-for-profit institutions, farms, and state, local or tribal governments.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 325,800.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 3 hour, 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,058,850.

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: September 19, 2012.

Yvette Lawrence,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.