[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2298-2299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-794]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service


Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 1098-E

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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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 
Form 1098-E, Student Loan Interest Statement.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before March 16, 1998 
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 form and instructions should be directed to Martha R. 
Brinson, (202) 622-3869, Internal Revenue Service, room 5571, 1111 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Student Loan Interest Statement.
    OMB Number: 1545-1576.
    Form Number: 1098-E.
    Abstract: Section 6050S(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code requires 
persons (financial institutions, governmental units, etc.) to report 
$600 or more of interest paid on student loans to the IRS and the 
students. Form 1098-E is used for this purpose.
    Current Actions: There are no changes being made to the form at 
this time.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, not-
for-profit institutions, and State, local or tribal governments.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 15,000,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 3 min.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 750,000.
    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;

[[Page 2299]]

(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: January 5, 1998.
Garrick R. Shear,
IRS Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-794 Filed 1-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P