[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 77555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31623]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Request for Reinstatement and Revision of a Previously Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
(CCC) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to request the reinstatement 
and revision of a previously approved information collection. This 
information is used by CCC and FSA to issue payments or other 
disbursements. The program under which payments are made are authorized 
by the Agricultural Act of 1970, the Commodity Credit Corporation 
Charter Act, the Food Security Act of 1985, and the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (1996 Act).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before February 
12, 2001 to be assured consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact David Tidwell, Agricultural 
Program Specialist, Production, Emergencies, and Compliance Division, 
USDA, FSA, STOP 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-0517, telephone (202) 720-4542.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Payer's Request for Identifying Number.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0121.
    Expiration Date: October 31, 2000.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement and revision of a previously 
approved information collection.
    Abstract: In order to provide the Internal Revenue Service with 
proper identification for the processing of tax returns, all producers 
who receive CCC and FSA program payments must provide FSA with a social 
security, employer, or IRS identifying number. Form CCC-343, Payer's 
Request for Identifying Number, will collect this information without 
regard to whether the payee is required to file a tax return or is 
covered by social security.
    The county FSA office prepares a CCC-343 for each producer who has 
not furnished a producer ID number. Once the ID number is obtained and 
provided to the county FSA office, the producer is not requested to 
provide this information again.
    FSA does not make any program payment until a producer furnishes a 
social security, employer, or IRS identifying number.
    Identification of producers allows FSA to provide IRS with 
identifying numbers for tax collection purposes. Section 6676 of the 
Internal Revenue Code provides a penalty for failure to furnish an 
identifying number to a payer required to report such number to the 
Service.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .08 (5 minutes) per response.
    Respondents: Producers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: One.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 250 hours.
    Proposed topics for comment include: (a) Whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of burden including 
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected; 
or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of the information 
on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments should be 
sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 
20503 and to David Tidwell, Agricultural Program Specialist, 
Production, Emergencies, and Compliance Division, USDA, FSA, STOP 0517, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2415, (202) 720-
4542.
    Copies of the information collection may be obtained from David 
Tidwell at the above address.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on December 5, 2000.
Keith Kelly,
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 00-31623 Filed 12-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P