[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 155 (Tuesday, August 12, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 43198]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21286]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service


Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Notice 97-45

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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning 
Notice 97-5, Highly Compensated Employee Definition.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before October 14, 
1997 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Garrick R. Shear, Internal 
Revenue Service, room 5571, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, 
DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection should be directed to Carol 
Savage, (202) 622-3945, Internal Revenue Service, room 5569, 1111 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Highly Compensated Employee Definition.
    OMB Number: 1545-1550.
    Notice Number: Notice 97-45.
    Abstract: Notice 97-45 provides guidance on the definition of a 
highly compensated employee (HCE) within the meaning of section 414(q) 
of the Internal Revenue Code, as simplified by section 1431 of the 
Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, including an employer's 
option to make a top-paid group election under section 
414(q)(1)(B)(ii). The notice requires qualified retirement plans that 
contain a definition of HCE to be amended to reflect the statutory 
changes to section 414(q).
    Current Actions: There are no changes being made to the notice at 
this time.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, and 
not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 218,683.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 18 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 65,605.
    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: August 5, 1997.
Garrick R. Shear,
IRS Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-21286 Filed 8-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-U