1545-2139_supporting_statement_20151120

4

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

(Forms 14039, 14039(SP), 14039-B, 14039-B(SP))

OMB Control Number 1545-2139

1. CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION

The primary purpose of these forms is to provide a method of reporting identity theft issues to the IRS so that the IRS may document situations where taxpayers are or may be victims of identity theft. Additional purposes include the use in the determination of proper tax liability and to relieve taxpayer burden. The information may be disclosed only as provided by 26 U.S.C 6103.

2. USE OF DATA

The primary use of this information is so that the IRS may document situations where individuals are or may be victims of identity theft.

3. USE OF IMPROVED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE BURDEN

There are no plans to provide electronic filing because electronic filing is not appropriate for the collection of information in this submission.

4. EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DUPLICATION

We have attempted to eliminate duplication within the agency wherever possible.

5. METHODS TO MINIMIZE BURDEN ON SMALL BUSINESSES OR OTHER SMALL ENTITIES

There are no small entities affected by this collection.

6. CONSEQUENCES OF LESS FREQUENT COLLECTION ON FEDERAL PROGRAMS OR POLICY ACTIVITIES

If the IRS did not collect this information, the taxpayer and the IRS would not have an appropriate way of reporting identity theft issues to the IRS so that the IRS may document situations where individuals are or may be victims of identity theft.

7. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING DATA COLLECTION TO BE INCONSISTENT WITH GUIDELINES IN 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2)

There are no special circumstances requiring data collection to be inconsistent with Guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2).

8. CONSULTATION WITH INDIVIDUALS OUTSIDE OF THE AGENCY ON AVAILABILITY OF DATA, FREQUENCY OF COLLECTION, CLARITY OF INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMS, AND DATA ELEMENTS

Periodic meetings are held between IRS personnel and representatives of the American Bar Association, the National Society of Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and other professional groups to discuss tax law and tax forms. During these meetings, there is an opportunity for those attending to make comments regarding these forms.

We received no comments during the comment period in response to the Federal Register notice dated July 27, 2015 (80 FR 44432) regarding Form 14039, 14039-SP, and 14039-B.

9. EXPLANATION OF DECISION TO PROVIDE ANY PAYMENT OR GIFT TO RESPONDENTS

No payment or gift has been provided to any respondents.

10. ASSURANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF RESPONSES

Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential as required by 26 USC 6103.

11. JUSTIFICATION OF SENSITIVE QUESTIONS

A privacy impact assessment (PIA) has been conducted for information collected under this request as part of the “Individual Master File,(IMF)” system and a Privacy Act System of Records notice (SORN) has been issued for this system under IRS 24.030 - CADE Individual Master File and IRS 34.037 - IRS Audit Trail and Security Records System. The Internal Revenue Service PIAs can be found at http://www.irs.gov/uac/Privacy-Impact-Assessments-PIA.

Title 26 USC 6109 requires inclusion of identifying numbers in returns, statements, or other documents for securing proper identification of persons required to make such returns, statements, or documents and is the authority for social security numbers (SSNs) in IRS systems.

12. ESTIMATED BURDEN OF INFORMATION COLLECTION

List the number of responses, time per response, and total burden for each form included in the submission.

The burden estimate is as follows:

Number of Time per Total

Form Responses Response Hours 14039/14039(SP) 80,000 15 min. 20,000

14039-B/14039-B(SP) 20,000 15 min. 5,000

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100,000 25,000

13. ESTIMATED TOTAL ANNUAL COST BURDEN TO RESPONDENTS

AS suggested by OMB, our Federal Register notice dated July 27, 2015, 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.

14. ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The primary cost to the government consists of the cost of printing. We estimate that the cost of printing the forms is $8,500.

15. REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN

There is no change in the paperwork burden previously approved for these forms.

This request is being submitted to renew the OMB approval.

16. PLANS FOR TABULATION, STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND PUBLICATION

There are no plans for tabulation, statistical analysis and publication.

17. 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 regulation sunsets as of the expiration date. Taxpayers are not likely to be aware that the Service intends to request renewal of OMB approval and obtain a new expiration date before the old one expires.

18. EXCEPTIONS TO THE CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

There are no exceptions to the certification statement.

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.

*If emergency approval is needed, please give reason.