[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 192 (Tuesday, October 5, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59644-59645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22373]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service


Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Cognitive and 
Psychological Research Coordinated by Statistics of Income on Behalf of 
All IRS Operations Functions

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 
Cognitive and Psychological Research Coordinated by Statistics of 
Income on Behalf of All IRS Operations Functions.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before December 6, 
2004 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Paul H. Finger, Internal 
Revenue Service, room 6512, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, 
DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of information collection should be directed to Carol Savage at 
Internal Revenue Service, room 6516, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20224, or at (202) 622-3945, or through the Internet at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Cognitive and Psychological Research Coordinated by 
Statistics of Income on Behalf of All IRS Operations Functions.
    OMB Number: 1545-1349.
    Abstract: The proposed research will improve the quality of data 
collection by examining the psychological and cognitive aspects of 
methods and procedures such as: interviewing processes, forms redesign, 
survey and tax collection technology and operating procedures (internal 
and external in nature).
    Current Actions: We will be conducting different opinion surveys, 
focus group sessions, think-aloud interviews, and usability studies 
regarding cognitive research surrounding forms submission or IRS 
system/product development.

[[Page 59645]]

    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals and businesses or other for-profit 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75,000.
    Estimated Average Time Per Respondent: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 37,500.
    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: September 28, 2004.
Paul H. Finger,
IRS Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-22373 Filed 10-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P