[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 18, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48171-48172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23261]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service


Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee; Nomination

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requests nominations of 
individuals for consideration as Information Reporting Program Advisory 
Committee (IRPAC) members. The external advisory group to the 
Information Reporting Program. Interested parties may nominate 
themselves and/or at least one other qualified person for membership. 
Nominations will be accepted for current vacancies and vacancies that 
will or may occur during the next twelve (12) months, and should 
describe and document the applicant's qualifications for membership. 
Comprised of not more than twenty-five (25) members, approximately one 
half of these IRPAC appointments will expire in 2001. To accomplish its 
objective of close alignment with the needs and strategic goals of the 
IRS while remaining a strong external feedback mechanism, it is 
essential that the IRPAC comprise a diverse group of dedicated and 
talented professionals. Toward this end, the selection process focuses 
on a balanced forum and represents the IRS' commitment to developing a 
diverse committee based on several factors including: (i) Geographical 
location; (ii) stakeholder representation; and (iii) taxpayer segments, 
i.e., small and large business, preparers, academics, state and local 
governments. Accordingly, to maintain membership diversity, selection 
is based on the segment or group an applicant represents as well as his 
or her qualifications. In keeping therewith, for purposes of diversity, 
given the composition of the returning IRPAC membership, the IRS is 
seeking nominations of individuals who represent disparate geographical 
locations, taxpayer segments, and stakeholder groups, particularly 
applicants who represent the small business/self-employed taxpayer 
segment.

DATES: Written nominations must be received on or before October 5, 
2001.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Ms. Romona Johnson, Office of 
National Public Liaison, CL:NPL:PAC, Room 7567, 1111 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224 Attn. IRPAC Nominations; e-mail: 
*[email protected]. Applications may be submitted by mail to the 
address above or faxed to 202-927-5253. However, if submitted vis-a-vis 
facsimile, Office of National Public Liaison subsequently must receive 
the original application as an applicant cannot be considered nor can 
his or her application be processed absent an original signature. 
Application packages may be requested by telephone from the Office of 
National Public Liaison, 202-622-6440, and are available on the Tax 
Professional's Corner and Small Business Corner which are located on 
the IRS' Web site at: http://www.irs.gov/prod/bus_info/tax--pro/
index.html and http://www.irs.gov/prod/bus_info/sm_bus/index.html, 
respectively.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lorenza Wilds, 202-622-6440 (not a 
toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The final Conference Report of the 1989 
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act contained an administrative 
recommendation that a federal advisory committee be created to advise 
the IRS on information reporting issues. As a result, the IRPAC was 
established in 1991, authorized under the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act, Public Law No. 92-463. The primary purpose of the IRPAC is to 
provide an organized forum for IRS officials and public representatives 
to consider relevant information reporting issues. As such, the IRPAC: 
(i) Conveys the public's perceptions of IRS activities; (ii) advises 
with respect to specific information reporting administration issues 
(iii) provides constructive observations regarding current or proposed 
IRS policies, programs, and procedures; and (iv) proposes significant 
improvements in information reporting operations. Accordingly, the 
IRPAC operates to reduce taxpayer burden and improve the overall 
administration of information reporting. For example, the IRPAC 
suggestion that the IRS permit the electronic provision of payee 
statements gave rise to the draft regulatory change, published in 2001, 
providing to this effect, and it is contemplated that similar 
significance will attached to the Committee's advice when addressing 
new challenges in a rapidly changing business environment as the 
restructured IRS moves forward. Because each Operating Division relies 
on the Information Reporting Program, the IRS must ensure application 
of a coordinated approach when addressing Information Reporting Program 
issues. Therefore, acknowledging the critical role of information 
reporting, emphasizing its commitment to the Information Reporting 
Program, and as a measure of the IRPAC's importance, a centralized 
coordinating mechanism, the Information Reporting Program Policy 
Council (IRP Policy Council) was established to formulate and 
coordinate strategic and crosscutting information reporting issues. A 
counterpart to the IRPAC consisting of IRS executives from each 
Operating Division, the IRP Policy Council facilitates cross-divisional 
consistency in information reporting and provides strategic leadership 
for the Service-wide direction of the Information Reporting Program. In 
addition, the IRP Policy Council considers and prioritizes the 
recommendations of the IRPAC as part of the strategic planning process, 
and meets regularly with Committee

[[Page 48172]]

members to identify and recommend strategic issues for consideration.
    The Commissioner determines the size and composition of the IRPAC. 
Typically, members serve a term of two years, with the possibility of a 
one-year renewal, subject to the Commissioner's approval. The IRPAC is 
further segmented into sub-groups that mirror the new IRS structure. 
Working groups address the policies, administration and operational 
issues specific to the Operating Divisions.
    Members must attend all public meetings and official working 
sessions and are encouraged to provide feedback to the Advisory 
Committee Chairpersons, fellow Advisory Committee members, and 
appropriate IRS personnel, on Advisory Committee related issues, based 
on personal experience and pertinent information obtained from other 
individuals and members of their constituencies. While Committee 
members are not paid for their time and services, members residing 
outside of the Washington DC metropolitan area will be reimbursed for 
travel-related expenses incurred to attend an average of two public 
meetings and one orientation session per year; in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 5703. IRPAC members, their employers or sponsoring associations/
organizations are responsible for travel-related expenses to all 
scheduled working sessions or other meetings.
    Receipt of nominations will be acknowledged, nominated individuals 
contacted, and immediately thereafter, biographical information must be 
completed and returned to Ms. Romona Johnson, Office of National Public 
Liaison, within fifteen(15) days of receipt. In accordance with 
Department of Treasury Directive 21-03, a clearance process including, 
inter alia, pre-appointment of annual tax checks, a Federal Bureau of 
Investigation criminal and subversive name check, and a security 
clearance check will be conducted.
    Equal opportunity practices will be followed for all appointments 
to the IRPAC accordance with the Department of Treasury and IRS 
policies. To ensure that the recommendations of the IRPAC have taken 
into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the IRS, 
membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with 
demonstrable ability to represent minorities, women and persons with 
disabilities.

    Dated: September 10, 2001.
Cathy Vanhorn,
Designated Federal Official, Acting Director, National Public Liaison.
[FR Doc. 01-23261 Filed 9-17-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P