[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 156 (Monday, August 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 42584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20275]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service


Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 8867

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, Public Law 104-13(44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning 
Form 8867, Paid Preparer's Earned Income Credit Checklist.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before October 12, 
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 form and instructions should be directed to Allan 
Hopkins, (202) 622-6665, Internal Revenue Service, room 5244, 1111 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Paid Preparer's Earned Income Credit Checklist.
    OMB Number: 1545-1629.
    Form Number: 8867.
    Abstract: Form 8867 helps preparers meet the due diligence 
requirements of Internal Revenue Code section 6695(g), which was added 
by section 1085(a)(2) of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. Paid 
preparers of Federal income tax returns or claims for refund involving 
the earned income credit (EIC) must meet the due diligence requirements 
in determining if the taxpayer is eligible for the EIC and the amount 
of the credit. Failure to do so could result in a $100 penalty for each 
failure. Completion of Form 8867 is one of the due diligence 
requirements.
    Current Actions: There are no changes being made to the form at 
this time.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,368,447.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1 hr., 10 mins.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,707,399.
    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 7, 2001.
Garrick R. Shear,
IRS Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-20275 Filed 8-10-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P