[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 238 (Monday, December 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 77427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31475]



[[Page 77427]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms 
within the Department of the Treasury is soliciting comments concerning 
the Brewer's Bonds and Continuation Certificates.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before February 9, 
2001 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco 
and Firearms, Linda Barnes, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, 
DC 20226, (202) 927-8930.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the form(s) and instructions should be directed to William H. 
Foster, Regulations Division, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20226, (202) 927-8210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Brewer's Bonds and Continuation Certificates.
    OMB Number: 1512-0081.
    Form Number: ATF F 5130.22, Brewer's Bond, ATF F 5130.23, Brewer's 
Bond Continuation Certificate, ATF F 5130.25, Brewer's Collateral Bond, 
ATF F 5130.27, Brewer's Collateral Bond Continuation Certificate.
    Abstract: The Internal Revenue Code requires brewers to give a bond 
to protect the revenue and to ensure compliance with the requirements 
of laws and regulations. Bonds and continuation certificates are 
required by law and are necessary to protect government interests in 
the excise tax revenues that brewers pay. Brewer's must keep their 
current bonds for as long as the brewery is in operation.
    Current Actions: ATF F 5130.25, Brewer's Collateral Bond is a new 
form that replaces the attachments, strikeouts and insertions of the 
existing surety bond, ATF F 5130.22 with a correct and easy-to-use form 
to meet the requirements of 26 U.S.C. 5401 with collateral transactions 
instead of a surety bond. ATF F 5130.27, Brewer's Collateral Bond 
Continuation Certificate is a new form in which a brewer has the option 
of using this form in order to continue the collateral bond for 4 
years. ATF F 5130.22, Brewer's Bond has been revised to include 
additional instructions that are more easily understood and the entire 
form has been rewritten in the plain language format. ATF F 5130.23, 
Brewer's Bond Continuation Certificate has been rewritten in the plain 
language format and the collateral option transaction has been placed 
in the new ATF F 5130.27. ATF estimates that the forms will reduce the 
burden by 25% for each individual, depending on circumstances. The 
total burden will increase, however, since there is a significant 
increase in the number of brewers since the last submission.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,750.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 45 minutes per form.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 600
    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.

    Dated: December 4, 2000.
William T. Earle,
Assistant Director (Management), CFO.
[FR Doc. 00-31475 Filed 12-8-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P