Request for Comments on Treasury's Report to Congress on International and Exchange Rate Policies, 14291-14292 [06-2768]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 54 / Tuesday, March 21, 2006 / Notices sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES b. Cross-border electronic transfers of funds include transactions where either (1) a foreign office of a financial institution instructs a U.S. office of a financial institution to effect payment in the U.S., directly or indirectly, or (2) where U.S. office of a financial institution instructs a foreign office of a financial institution to effect a payment abroad, directly or indirectly. c. Cross-border electronic transmittal of funds means the transmission— through any electronic, magnetic or optical device, telephone instrument or computer—of instructions for the transfer of funds, other than the transfer of funds within the United States. In the case of SWIFT messages, only SWIFT MT 100 and SWIFT MT 103 messages are included d. Cross-border electronic transmittal of funds means an instruction for a transfer of funds that is transmitted into or out of the United States electronically or by telegraph, where the financial institution is acting on behalf of, or at the request of, another person who is not a financial institution Title: Cross-Border Electronic Transmittals of Funds Survey. OMB Number: 1506–0048. Abstract: Survey to be conducted with business owners and managers in the Cross-Border Electronic Transmittals of Funds industry. Survey asks respondents to report on cross-border financial services provided by their businesses. Type of Review: New information collection. Affected Public: Business or other for profit institutions. Frequency: One time. Estimated Burden: Reporting average of 60 minutes per response. Estimated Number of Respondents: 23,262. Estimated Total Responses: 23,262. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 23,262. 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:01 Mar 20, 2006 Jkt 208001 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. Dated: March 14, 2006. Robert Werner, Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. [FR Doc. E6–4073 Filed 3–20–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810–02–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Request for Comments on Treasury’s Report to Congress on International and Exchange Rate Policies Office of the Under Secretary for International Affairs, Treasury. ACTION: Request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Office of the Under Secretary for International Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Treasury invites all interested parties to comment on the methodology used in preparing its semiannual report to Congress on International and Exchange Rate Policies and to submit views on the contents of its next report. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 7, 2006. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, facsimile or email. All comments should contain the following information in the heading: ‘‘Attn: Request for Public Comments on the Report to Congress on International and Exchange Rate Policies.’’ Mailing address: Office of the Under Secretary for International Affairs, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220. Facsimile: (202) 622–2009 (not a tollfree number). Email: ashby.mccown@do.treas.gov. For further information concerning the submission of comments, refer to the heading ‘‘Request for Comments’’ in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION portion of this notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Weeks, Director, Global Economics Unit, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220, (202) 622–9885 (not a toll-free number), john.weeks@do.treas.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 3004 of Public Law 100–418 (22 U.S.C. 5304) requires, inter alia, that the Secretary of the Treasury analyze on PO 00000 Frm 00128 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14291 an annual basis the exchange rate policies of foreign countries, in consultation with the International Monetary Fund, and consider whether countries manipulate the rate of exchange between their currency and the United States dollar for purposes of preventing effective balance of payments adjustment or gaining unfair competitive advantage in international trade. Section 3004 further requires that: ‘‘If the Secretary considers that such manipulation is occurring with respect to countries that (1) have material global current account surpluses; and (2) have significant bilateral trade surpluses with the United States, the Secretary of the Treasury shall take action to initiate negotiations with such foreign countries on an expedited basis, in the International Monetary Fund or bilaterally, for the purpose of ensuring that such countries regularly and promptly adjust the rate of exchange between their currencies and the United States dollar to permit effective balance of payment adjustments and to eliminate the unfair advantage.’’ Section 3005 (22 U.S.C. 5305) requires, inter alia, the Secretary of the Treasury to provide each six months a report on international economic policy, including exchange rate policy. Among other matters, the reports are to contain the results of negotiations conducted pursuant to Section 3004. Each of these reports bears the title, Report to Congress on International Economic and Exchange Rate Policies, (the ‘‘Report’’). Treasury is soliciting comments on the methods used by Treasury to analyze the economies and exchange rate policies of foreign countries in order to help improve the process of carrying out its responsibilities under Sections 3004 and 3005. The most recent Report can be found on the Web site of the Office of the Under Secretary for International Affairs, at https:// www.treas.gov/offices/internationalaffairs/economic-exchange-rates/. Treasury is also soliciting views on approaches that might be fruitful in the upcoming spring 2006 Report. Request for Comments Comments must be submitted in writing by one of the methods specified in the ADDRESSES portion of this notice. All comments should contain the following information in the heading: ‘‘Attn: Request for Comments on the Report to Congress on International and Exchange Rate Policies.’’ Comments must be received by April 7, 2006. Treasury requests that comments be no more than two pages in length. The Office of the Under Secretary for International Affairs will not accept E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1 14292 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 54 / Tuesday, March 21, 2006 / Notices comments accompanied by a request that all or part of the submission be treated as confidential because of its business proprietary nature or for any other reason. All comments received by April 7, 2006 will be a matter of public record. Clay Lowery, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. [FR Doc. 06–2768 Filed 3–20–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4811–37–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 8900 Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES AGENCY: 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 8900, Qualified Railroad Track Maintenance Credit. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before May 22, 2006 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Glenn Kirkland Internal Revenue Service, room 6512, 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 Larnice Mack at Internal Revenue Service, room 6512, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224, or at (202) 622– 3179, or through the Internet at Larnice.Mack@irs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Qualified Railroad Track Maintenance Credit. OMB Number: 1545–1983. Form Number: 8900. Abstract: Form 8900 Qualified Railroad Track Maintenance Credit, was developed to carry out the provisions of new Code section 45G. This new section was added by section 245 of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108–357). The new form provides a means for the eligible VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:01 Mar 20, 2006 Jkt 208001 taxpayer to compute the amount of credit. Current Actions: There are no changes being made to Form 8900 at this time. Type of Review: Extension of a current OMB approval. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations and farms. Estimated Number of Respondents: 500. Estimated Time Per Respondent: 8 hours, 3 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,030. 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: March 9, 2006. Glenn Kirkland, IRS Reports Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E6–4014 Filed 3–20–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4830–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00129 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 13388 Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: 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 13388, Improving the Accuracy of EITC Prepared Returns. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before May 22, 2006 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Glenn Kirkland Internal Revenue Service, room 6512, 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 Larnice Mack at Internal Revenue Service, room 6512, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224, or at (202) 622– 3179, or through the Internet at Larnice.Mack@irs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Improving the Accuracy of EITC Prepared Returns. OMB Number: 1545–1825. Form Number: 13388. Abstract: This postcard will be sent to tax preparers that submitted a mixture of paper and electronic returns for their clients. The postcard provides these professionals an opportunity to acquire additional information about the EITC. It is part of a brochure to encourage 100% filing of EITC returns. Current Actions: There are no changes being made to Form 13388 at this time. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,000. Estimated Number of Respondents: 9 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 150. E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 21, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14291-14292]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2768]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY


Request for Comments on Treasury's Report to Congress on 
International and Exchange Rate Policies

AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary for International Affairs, 
Treasury.

ACTION: Request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of the Under Secretary for International Affairs of 
the U.S. Department of the Treasury invites all interested parties to 
comment on the methodology used in preparing its semi-annual report to 
Congress on International and Exchange Rate Policies and to submit 
views on the contents of its next report.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 7, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, facsimile or email. All 
comments should contain the following information in the heading: 
``Attn: Request for Public Comments on the Report to Congress on 
International and Exchange Rate Policies.''
    Mailing address: Office of the Under Secretary for International 
Affairs, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20220.
    Facsimile: (202) 622-2009 (not a toll-free number).
    Email: ashby.mccown@do.treas.gov.

For further information concerning the submission of comments, refer to 
the heading ``Request for Comments'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
portion of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Weeks, Director, Global Economics 
Unit, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20220, (202) 622-9885 (not a toll-free number), 
john.weeks@do.treas.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 3004 of Public Law 100-418 (22 U.S.C. 5304) requires, inter 
alia, that the Secretary of the Treasury analyze on an annual basis the 
exchange rate policies of foreign countries, in consultation with the 
International Monetary Fund, and consider whether countries manipulate 
the rate of exchange between their currency and the United States 
dollar for purposes of preventing effective balance of payments 
adjustment or gaining unfair competitive advantage in international 
trade. Section 3004 further requires that: ``If the Secretary considers 
that such manipulation is occurring with respect to countries that (1) 
have material global current account surpluses; and (2) have 
significant bilateral trade surpluses with the United States, the 
Secretary of the Treasury shall take action to initiate negotiations 
with such foreign countries on an expedited basis, in the International 
Monetary Fund or bilaterally, for the purpose of ensuring that such 
countries regularly and promptly adjust the rate of exchange between 
their currencies and the United States dollar to permit effective 
balance of payment adjustments and to eliminate the unfair advantage.''
    Section 3005 (22 U.S.C. 5305) requires, inter alia, the Secretary 
of the Treasury to provide each six months a report on international 
economic policy, including exchange rate policy. Among other matters, 
the reports are to contain the results of negotiations conducted 
pursuant to Section 3004. Each of these reports bears the title, Report 
to Congress on International Economic and Exchange Rate Policies, (the 
``Report'').
    Treasury is soliciting comments on the methods used by Treasury to 
analyze the economies and exchange rate policies of foreign countries 
in order to help improve the process of carrying out its 
responsibilities under Sections 3004 and 3005. The most recent Report 
can be found on the Web site of the Office of the Under Secretary for 
International Affairs, at https://www.treas.gov/offices/international-
affairs/economic-exchange-rates/. Treasury is also soliciting views on 
approaches that might be fruitful in the upcoming spring 2006 Report.

Request for Comments

    Comments must be submitted in writing by one of the methods 
specified in the ADDRESSES portion of this notice. All comments should 
contain the following information in the heading: ``Attn: Request for 
Comments on the Report to Congress on International and Exchange Rate 
Policies.'' Comments must be received by April 7, 2006. Treasury 
requests that comments be no more than two pages in length.
    The Office of the Under Secretary for International Affairs will 
not accept

[[Page 14292]]

comments accompanied by a request that all or part of the submission be 
treated as confidential because of its business proprietary nature or 
for any other reason. All comments received by April 7, 2006 will be a 
matter of public record.

Clay Lowery,
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 06-2768 Filed 3-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4811-37-P

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