E7-13982. Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the following collection of information: 3220-0149, Withholding Certificate for Railroad Retirement Monthly Annuity Payments. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens.

The RRB invites comments on the proposed collection of information to determine (1) the practical utility of the collection; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collection; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of publication date.

The Internal Revenue Code requires all payers of tax liable private pensions to U.S. citizens to: (1) Notify each recipient at least concurrent with initial withholding that the payer is, in fact, withholding benefits for tax liability and that the recipient has the option of electing not to have the payer withhold, or to withhold at a specific rate; (2) withhold benefits for tax purposes (in the absence of the recipient's election not to withhold benefits); and (3) notify all beneficiaries, at least annually, that they have the option of changing their withholding status or elect not to have benefits withheld.

The Railroad Retirement Board provides Form RRB-W4P, Withholding Certificate for Railroad Retirement Payments, to its annuitants to exercise their withholding options. Completion of the form is required to obtain or retain a benefit. One response is requested of each respondent.

No changes are being proposed to the current version of Form RRB W-4P used by the RRB. The RRB estimates that 25,000 annuitants utilize Form RRB W-4P annually. The completion time for Form RRB W-4P varies depending on individual circumstances. The estimated average(s) for Form RRB W-4P is 39 minutes for recordkeeping, 24 minutes for learning about the law or the form, and 59 minutes for preparing the form.

Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. If a respondent fails to complete the form(s), the RRB may be unable to pay them benefits. One response is required from a respondent.

Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (72 FR 14628 on April 27, 2007) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

Title: Withholding Certificate for Railroad Retirement Monthly Annuity Payments.

OMB Control Number: 3220-0149.

Form(s) submitted: RRB-W-4P, Withholding Certificate for Railroad Retirement Monthly Annuity Payments.

Type of request: Reinstatement with change of a previously approved collection.

Affected public: Individuals or households.

Abstract: Under Public Law 98-76, railroad retirement beneficiaries' Tier II, dual vested and supplemental benefits are subject to income tax under private pension rules. Under Public Law 99-514, the non-social security equivalent benefit portion of Tier 1 is also taxable under private pension rules. The collection obtains the information needed by the Railroad Retirement Board to implement the income tax withholding provisions.

Changes Proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form RRB-W-4P.

The Burden Estimate for the ICR is as follows:

Estimated annual number of respondents: 25,000.

Total annual responses: 25,000.

Total annual reporting hours: 1.

Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the forms and supporting documents can be obtained from Charles Mierzwa, the agency clearance officer (312-751-3363) or [e-mail].

Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or [e-mail] and to the OMB Desk Officer for the RRB, at the Office of Management and Budget, Room 10230, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

Charles Mierzwa,

Clearance Officer.