[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39828-39829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15774]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service


Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Forms 8857 and 8857(SP)

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 
Forms 8857 and 8857(SP), Request for Innocent Spouse Relief.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before September 3, 
2013 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Yvette 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 LaNita Van 
Dyke at Internal Revenue Service, room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue 
NW., Washington, DC 20224, or at (202) 622-3634, or through the 
Internet at [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Request for Innocent Spouse Relief.
    OMB Number: 1545-1596.
    Form Numbers: 8857 and 8857(SP).
    Abstract: Section 6013(e) of the Internal Revenue Code allows 
taxpayers to request, and IRS to grant, ``innocent spouse'' relief 
when: the taxpayer files a joint return with tax substantially 
understated; the taxpayer establishes no knowledge of, or benefit from, 
the understatement; and it would be inequitable to hold the taxpayer 
liable. Forms 8857 and 8857(SP) is used to request relief from 
liability of an understatement of tax on a joint return resulting from 
a grossly erroneous item attributable to the spouse.
    Current Actions: There are no changes to the burden previously 
approved by OMB.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50,000.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 4 hours, 49 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 240,500.
    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

[[Page 39829]]

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: June 24, 2013.
R. Joseph Durbala,
Supervisory Tax Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2013-15774 Filed 7-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P