2017-20874. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Regulation Project

AGENCY:

Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Internal Revenue Service, 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 information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The IRS is soliciting comments concerning certain returned magazines, paperbacks, or records.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before November 28, 2017 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to L. Brimmer, Internal Revenue Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

Requests for additional information or copies of the regulation should be directed to Sara Covington, at Internal Revenue Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224 or, through the Internet, at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Certain Returned Magazines, Paperbacks, or Records.

OMB Number: 1545-0879. Regulation Project Number: TD 8426 (IA-195-78).

Abstract: The regulations provide rules relating to an exclusion from gross income for certain returned merchandise. The regulations provide that in addition to physical return of the merchandise, a written statement listing certain information may constitute evidence of the return. Taxpayers who receive physical evidence of the return may, in lieu of retaining physical evidence, retain documentary evidence of the return. Taxpayers in the trade or business of selling magazines, paperbacks, or records, who elect a certain method of accounting, are affected.

Current Actions: There is no change to this existing regulation.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 19,500.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 25 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,125 hours.

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 21, 2017.

L. Brimmer,

Senior Tax Analyst.