U.S. Department of Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Supporting Statement
OMB Control Number 1545-1908
Qualified Zone Academy Bonds: Obligations of States and Political Subdivision
(REG-121475-03; TD 9495; RIN 1545-BC61)
Summary of Action
BACKGROUND: On March 26, 2004, IRS published NPRM to amend rules to provide guidance on the maximum term, permissible use of proceeds, and remedial actions for QZABs. Comments received on the NRPM were considered and in light of the statutory changes made by Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, it was determined to issue temporary regulations in 2007.
CURRENT ACTION: At this time, the IRS is issuing a final rule and removing temporary regulations established in 2007, with no changes to the burden currently approved.
We are submitting this ICR action to OMB as a revision, which would allow us to identify this rule under the “associated rulemaking information” section of ROCIS. This option is not available via a non-material, non-substantive change because this rulemaking section is
“grayed-out” and unavailable.
To acutely identify this rulemaking action and incorporate it into this ICR, we are submitting this request as a revision.
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
(REG-121475-03)
OMB No. 1545-1908
CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
This regulation provides guidance to state and local governments that issue qualified zone academy bonds and to banks, issuance companies, and other taxpayers that hold those bonds on the program requirements for qualified zone academy bonds. The regulations implement the amendments to section 1397E of the Internal Revenue Code and provides guidance on the maximum term, permissible used of proceeds, and remedial action for qualified zone academy bonds.
Section 1.1397E-1(h) of the regulations state that in order to maintain the qualified status of its bonds, a state or local government that issued qualified zone academy bonds may establish a defeasance escrow for the purpose of paying such bonds as they mature. Under the same regulation, investment earnings derived from the investment of fund in the defeasance escrow must be paid over (rebated) to the United States.
USE OF DATA
In order to ensure compliance with the rebate requirement, the issuers of qualified zone academy bonds must send a notice of the establishment of the defeasance escrow to the IRS, which will ensure that the rebate is paid as it becomes due.
USE OF IMPROVED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE BURDEN
IRS Publications, Regulations, Notices and Letters are to be electronically enabled on an as practicable basis in accordance with the IRS Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998.
EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DUPLICATION
We have attempted to eliminate duplication within the agency wherever possible.
METHODS TO MINIMIZE BURDEN ON SMALL BUSINESSES OR OTHER SMALL ENTITIES
Not applicable.
CONSEQUENCES OF LESS FREQUENT COLLECTION ON FEDERAL PROGRAMS OR POLICY ACTIVITIES
Not applicable.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING DATA COLLECTION TO BE INCONSISTENT WITH GUIDELINES IN 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2)
Not applicable.
CONSULTATION WITH INDIVIDUALS OUTSIDE OF THE AGENCY ON AVAILABILITY OF DATA, FREQUENCY OF COLLECTION, CLARITY OF INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMS, AND DATA ELEMENTS
A notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 2007 (72 FR 38802), soliciting comments and requests for a public hearing. No comments were received associated with the information collection burden, nor a public hearing requested.
A Federal Register notice requesting public comment on the extension of the currently approved collection was published on June 21, 2007 (72 FR 34357) and no comments were received.
EXPLANATION OF DECISION TO PROVIDE ANY PAYMENT OR GIFT TO RESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ASSURANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF RESPONSES
Generally, tax returns, tax return information and closing agreements are confidential as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.
JUSTIFICATION OF SENSITIVE QUESTIONS
Not applicable.
ESTIMATED BURDEN OF INFORMATION COLLECTION
The collection of information is in §1.1397E-1(h). This requirement comprised of notifying the IRS that the respondent established a defeasance escrow, information sufficient to identify the escrow, the respondent, and the issue of bonds for the payment of which the escrow is established. We estimate that approximately 6 respondents will provide this notice, and that it will take 30 minutes to prepare the notice. The total reporting burden is 3 hours.
Estimates of the annualized cost to respondents for the hourly burdens shown are not available at this time.
ESTIMATED TOTAL ANNUAL COST BURDEN TO RESPONDENTS
As suggested by OMB, our Federal Register notice dated June 21, 2007, (72 FR 34357), requested public comments on estimates of cost burden that are not captured in the estimates of burden hours, i.e., estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. However, we did not receive any response from taxpayers on this subject. As a result, estimates of the cost burdens are not available at this time.
ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Not applicable.
15. REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN
The rulemaking action will remove temporary regulations and issue final regulations with no change in the paperwork burden previously approved by OMB.
PLANS FOR TABULATION, STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND PUBLICATION
Not applicable.
REASONS WHY DISPLAYING THE OMB EXPIRATION DATE IS INAPPROPRIATE
We believe that displaying the OMB expiration date is inappropriate because it could cause confusion by leading taxpayers to believe that the revenue procedure sunsets as of the expiration date. Taxpayers are not likely to be aware that the Service intends to request renewal of the OMB approval and obtain a new expiration date before the old one expires.
EXCEPTIONS TO THE CERTIFICATION STATEMENT ON OMB FORM 83-I
Not applicable.
Note: The following paragraph applies to all of the collections of information in this submission:
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.
File Type | application/msword |
File Title | SUPPORTING STATEMENT |
Author | FD3BB |
Last Modified By | US Department of Treasury |
File Modified | 2010-07-30 |
File Created | 2010-07-30 |