[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 41 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10413-10414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4082]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employee Benefits Security Administration


Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted 
for Public Comment; Application for EFAST Electronic Signature and 
Codes for EFAST Transmitters and Software Developers

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections 
of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA 95). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be 
provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial 
resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, 
and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be 
properly assessed. Currently, the Employee Benefits Security 
Administration (EBSA) is soliciting comments on the proposed extension 
of the Application for EFAST Electronic Signature and Codes for EFAST 
Transmitters and Software Developers (Form EFAST-1).
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed below in

[[Page 10414]]

the addresses section of this notice. The Form EFAST-1 is also 
available for viewing and downloading through the Department of Labor's 
Internet site (http://www.efast.dol.gov).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before May 2, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties are invited to submit written comments 
regarding the collection of information. Send comments to Mr. Gerald B. 
Lindrew, Office of Policy and Research, U.S. Department of Labor, 
Employee Benefits Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, 
NW., Room N-5647, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-8410 Fax: 
(202) 693-4745 (These are not toll-free numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Under part 1 of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security 
Act of 1974 (ERISA), Title IV of ERISA, and the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986, as amended, administrators of pension and welfare benefit 
plans (collectively, employee benefit plans) subject to those 
provisions and employers sponsoring certain fringe benefit plans and 
other plans of deferred compensation are required to file returns/
reports annually concerning the financial condition and operations of 
the plans. These reporting requirements are satisfied generally by 
filing the Form 5500 Series in accordance with its instructions and the 
related regulations.
    Beginning with the 1999 plan year, the Agency announced the 
availability of computer scannable forms and the development of 
electronic filing technologies. The computer scannable formats were 
developed to facilitate the implementation of a computerized system 
designed to process the Form 5500 and the IRS Form 5500-EZ--the ERISA 
Filing and Acceptance System, or EFAST. The Form 5500 and Form 5500-EZ 
may also be filed electronically via modem, magnetic tape, floppy 
diskette, or CD-ROM.
    In order to participate in the electronic filing program, 
applicants are required to submit an Application for EFAST Electronic 
Signature and Codes for EFAST Transmitters and Software Developers 
(Form EFAST-1), the subject of this ICR. Applicants who may file the 
Form EFAST-1 include: (1) Individuals applying for an electronic 
signature to sign a Form 5500 or 5500-EZ as, or on behalf of, plan 
administrators, employers/plan sponsors, or Direct Filing Entities 
(DFEs) using modem, magnetic tape, floppy diskette, or CD-ROM to file 
electronically; (2) transmitters (a company, trade, business, or other 
person) applying for codes to transmit Forms 5500 and/or Forms 5500-EZ 
for electronic filing using modem, magnetic tape, floppy diskette, or 
CD-ROM; and, (3) software developers (a company, trade, business, or 
other person that creates, programs, or otherwise modifies computer 
software) applying for codes required to develop EFAST-compliant 
computer software for electronically preparing and filing the Form 5500 
and/or Form 5500-EZ. Applicants provide some or all of the following 
information depending on applicant type: Name and title of applicant, 
mailing address, Employer Identification Number (EIN), telephone 
number, facsimile number and e-mail address (optional), contact person 
if different than applicant, and a signed agreement concerning the 
terms and conditions of the electronic filing program. Applicants 
receive, depending on applicant type, some or all of the following 
codes: electronic signature; filer identification number; personal 
identification number; encryption key; electronic filing identification 
number; password; and software developer ID. Applicants use these 
codes, as applicable, in connection with electronic filing, electronic 
transmission, or the development of EFAST software for the Form 5500 
and 5500-EZ.
    The information provided by the applicants on EFAST-1, combined 
with the codes supplied to the applicants by the program, allow EFAST 
to verify a filer, transmitter, or software developer's standing as a 
qualified participant in the EFAST electronic filing program for the 
Form 5500 and 5500-EZ. EFAST-1 information also establishes a means of 
contact between the EFAST program and filers, transmitters, and 
software developers for information exchange.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor (Department) is particularly interested in 
comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

    The Department is requesting an extension of the currently approved 
ICR pertaining to the Application for EFAST Electronic Signature and 
Codes for EFAST Transmitters and Software Developers (Form EFAST-1). 
The Department is not proposing or implementing changes to the existing 
ICR at this time.
    Title: Application for EFAST Electronic Signature and Codes for 
EFAST Transmitters and Software Developers.
    Agency: Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security 
Administration.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collections.
    OMB Numbers: 1210-0117.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
    Form Number: EFAST-1.
    Total Respondents: 5,200.
    Total Responses: 5,200.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Burden Hours: 1,200.
    Estimated Burden Cost (Operating and Maintenance): $1,976.
    Comments submitted in response to this request will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: February 24, 2005.
Gerald B. Lindrew,
Deputy Director, Office of Policy and Research, Employee Benefits 
Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-4082 Filed 3-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-29-P