[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 9075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3432]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service


Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 8944 and Form 8948

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 8944, Preparer Hardship Waiver Request, and Form 8948, Preparer 
Explanation for Not Filing Electronically.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before April 18, 2011 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Yvette B. Lawrence, Internal 
Revenue Service, Room 6129, 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 Joel 
Goldberger at (202) 927-9368, at Internal Revenue Service, Room 6129, 
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224, or through the 
Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Form 8944, Preparer Hardship Waiver Request.
    Title: Form 8948, Preparer Explanation for Not Filing 
Electronically.
    OMB Number: 1545-2200.
    Abstract, Form 8944: A tax preparer uses Form 8944 to request a 
waiver from the requirement to file tax returns on magnetic media when 
the filing of tax returns on magnetic media would cause a hardship.
    Abstract, Form 8948: A specified tax return preparer uses Form 8948 
to explain which exception applies when a covered return is prepared 
and filed on paper.
    Current Actions: There is no change in the paperwork burden 
previously approved by OMB. This form is being submitted for renewal 
purposes only.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses and other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,910,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 18,270,900.
    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: January 31, 2011.
Yvette B. Lawrence,
IRS Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-3432 Filed 2-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P