E9-23391. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 8554, 8554-EP

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 Form 8554, Application for Renewal of Enrollment To Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service, and Form 8554-EP, Application for Renewal of Enrollment to Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service as an Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA).

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before November 30, 2009 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to R. Joseph Durbala, Internal Revenue Service, room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the form should be directed to Allan Hopkins, at Internal Revenue Service, room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224, or at [phone], or through the internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Application for Renewal of Enrollment To Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service.

OMB Number: 1545-0946.

Form Number: 8554.

Abstract: The information obtained from Form 8554 relates to the approval of continuing professional education programs and the renewal of the enrollment status for those individuals admitted (enrolled) to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. The information will be used by the Director of Practice to determine the qualifications of individuals who apply for renewal of enrollment.

Title: Application for Renewal of Enrollment to Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service as an Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA).

Form Number: 8554-EP.

Abstract: This form is used to renew your Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) status. You must renew your enrollment status every 3 years. For additional information on renewals, see Circular 230 or visit the Office of Professional Responsibility Web site at http://www.irs.gov.

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: Individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 39,500.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour, 12 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 47,400.

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 22, 2009.

R. Joseph Durbala,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.