[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 7, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 41309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19789]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service


Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Forms 5500, 5500-C/R, 
and Schedules (1998 Version)

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning 
Forms 5500, 5500-C-R, and Schedules, Annual Return/Report of Employee 
Benefit Plan (1998 Version).

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

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Garrick R. Shear, Internal 
Revenue Service, room 5244, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, 
DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the forms and instructions should be directed to Carol 
Savage, (202) 622-3945, Internal Revenue Service, room 5242, 1111 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan (1998 
Version).
    OMB Number: 1545-0710.
    Form Number: 5500,5500-C/R, and Schedules.
    Abstract: Forms 5500 and 5500-C/R are annual information returns 
filed by employee benefit plans. The IRS uses this information to 
determine if the plan appears to be operating properly as required 
under the law or whether the plan should be audited.
    Current Actions: The estimated volume of ``prior year'' returns 
(1998 and before) is lower for the upcoming precessing year (August 1, 
2001 through July 31, 2002). This is due to the fact that only 
delinquent filers would have need for the 1998 (or prior) year versions 
of these forms.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 25,000.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: Varies.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 775,726.
    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 2, 2001.
Garrick R. Shear,
IRS Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-19789 Filed 8-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P