[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 42814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18232]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program 
Between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Internal Revenue 
Service, Department of the Treasury

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of Computer Matching Program.

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    Notice is hereby given that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) propose to conduct a computer 
matching program. The purpose of the program is to locate taxpayers who 
owe delinquent debts to the Federal Government as a result of their 
participation in benefit programs administered by VA. Once located, VA 
will pursue collection of debts through voluntary payments. If such 
payments are not forthcoming, VA may seek involuntary collection under 
the provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982, as amended.
    The legal authority for undertaking this matching program is 
contained in the Internal Revenue Code at 26 U.S.C. 6103(m)(2)(A). VA 
and IRS have concluded an agreement to conduct the matching program 
pursuant to provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 
552a(o)). IRS will act as the source (i.e., matching) agency. VA will 
provide a tape extract to IRS that contains the Name Control (the first 
four characters of the surname) and social security number (SSN) of 
each record subject. IRS will compare the tape extract against its 
database of taxpayers who have filed Federal individual income tax 
returns, establishing ``hits'' (i.e., individuals common to both tapes) 
on the basis of matched SSNs and Name Controls. For each hit, IRS will 
disclose to VA the following information: Name Control, SSN, and latest 
street address, post office box or other address furnished by the 
taxpayer.
    Records to be Matched: The systems of records maintained by the 
respective agencies from which records will be disclosed for the 
purpose of this computer match are as follows:
    CADE IRS: Individual Master File (IMF), Treasury/IRS 24.030, 
containing millions of records of taxpayers who have filed Federal 
individual income tax returns. A full description of the system of 
records was last published at 66 FR 63784 (December 10, 2001).
    VA: Accounts Receivable Records-VA (88VA244) containing records of 
approximately 200,000 debtors. Disclosure will be made under routine 
use No. 18 of that system, a full description of which was last 
published at 63 FR 16864 on April 6, 1998.
    The matching program is expected to begin on or about August 18, 
2003, and continue in effect for 18 months. The agreement governing the 
matching program and, thus, the matching program, may be extended an 
additional 12 months with the respective approval of the Data Integrity 
Boards of both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of 
the Treasury. Such extension must occur within three months prior to 
expiration of the 18-month period set forth above and under the terms 
set forth in 5 U.S.C. 552a(o)(2)(D).

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, 
suggestions, or objections regarding the proposal to conduct the 
matching program to the Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Room 1064, 
Washington, DC 20420. All relevant material received before August 18, 
2003, will be considered. All written comments received will be 
available for public inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and 
Management, Room 1063B, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday (except holidays). Please call (202) 273-9515 for an 
appointment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Gottsacker, Debt Management 
Center (389/00A), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bishop Henry Whipple 
Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Ft. Snelling, Minnesota 55111, (612) 
970-5703.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information is required by the Privacy 
Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(12)). A copy of this notice 
has been provided to both Houses of Congress and to the Office of 
Management and Budget.

    Approved: July 2, 2003.
Anthony J. Principi,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 03-18232 Filed 7-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P