Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Application for EFAST Electronic Signature and Codes for EFAST Transmitters and Software Developers, 18002-18003 [E8-6766]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 2, 2008 / Notices
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 Office of Management and
Budget’s (OMB) approval of this ICR
will expire on July 31, 2008. After
considering comments received in
response to this notice, the Department
intends to submit the ICR to OMB for
continuing approval. No change to the
existing ICR is proposed or made at this
time.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and/or
included in the request for OMB
approval of the information collection
request; they will also become a matter
of public record.
Agency: Employee Benefits Security
Administration, Department of Labor.
Title: Consent to Receive Employee
Benefit Plan Disclosure Electronically.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection of
information.
OMB Number: 1210–0121.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit; Not-for-profit institutions.
Respondents: 1,000.
Responses: 41,000.
Average Response time: 2 hours and
one minute.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 683.
Dated: March 27, 2008.
Joseph S. Piacentini,
Deputy Director, Office of Policy and
Research, Employee Benefits Security
Administration.
[FR Doc. E8–6765 Filed 4–1–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–29–P
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
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES
ACTION:
Notice.
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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:36 Apr 01, 2008
Jkt 214001
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
the addresses section of this notice or at
https://www.RegInfo.gov. The Form
EFAST–1 is also available for viewing
and downloading through the
Department of Labor’s Internet site
(https://www.efast.dol.gov).
DATES: Written comments must be
submitted to the office listed in the
ADDRESSES section below on or before
June 2, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Mr. G. Christopher Cosby,
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
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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,
E:\FR\FM\02APN1.SGM
02APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 2, 2008 / Notices
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.
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES
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: 1,716.
Estimated Burden Cost (Operating
and Maintenance): $2,000.
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.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:36 Apr 01, 2008
Jkt 214001
Dated: March 27, 2008.
Joseph S. Piacentini,
Director, Office of Policy and Research,
Employee Benefits Security Administration.
[FR Doc. E8–6766 Filed 4–1–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–29–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employee Benefits Security
Administration
Proposed Extension of Information
Collection Request Submitted for
Public Comment and
Recommendations; Alternative Method
of Compliance for Certain SEPs
pursuant to 29 CFR 2520.104–49
Employee Benefits Security
Administration, Department of Labor.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Notice.
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 is soliciting comments
on the proposed extension of the
collection of information included in
the alternative method of compliance
for certain simplified employee
pensions regulation (29 CFR 2520.104–
49).
A copy of the information collection
request (ICR) can be obtained by
contacting the individual shown in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice or at
https://www.RegInfo.gov.
Written comments must be
submitted to the office shown in the
ADDRESSES section on or before June 2,
2008.
DATES:
G. Christopher Cosby,
Department of Labor, Employee Benefits
Security Administration, 200
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20210, (202) 693–8410, FAX (202)
693–4745 (these are not toll-free
numbers).
ADDRESSES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Frm 00056
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
18003
I. Background
Section 110 of the Employment
Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
authorizes the Secretary to prescribe
alternative methods of compliance with
the reporting and disclosure
requirements of Title I of ERISA for
pension plans. Simplified employee
pensions (SEPs) are established in
section 408(k) of the Internal Revenue
Code (Code). Although SEPs are
primarily a development of the Code
and subject to its requirements, SEPs are
also pension plans subject to the
reporting and disclosure requirements
of Title I of ERISA.
The Department previously issued a
regulation under the authority of section
110 of ERISA (29 CFR 2520.104–49) that
intended to relieve sponsors of certain
SEPs from ERISA’s Title I reporting and
disclosure requirements by prescribing
an alternative method of compliance.
These SEPs are, for purposes of this
Notice, referred to as ‘‘non-model’’ SEPs
because they exclude (1) those SEPs
which are created through use of
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form
5305–SEP, and (2) those SEPs in which
the employer limits or influences the
employees’ choice to IRAs into which
employers’ contributions will be made
and on which participant withdrawals
are prohibited. The disclosure
requirements in this regulation were
developed in conjunction with the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS Notice
81–1). Accordingly, sponsors of ‘‘nonmodel’’ SEPs that satisfy the limited
disclosure requirements of the
regulation are relieved from otherwise
applicable reporting and disclosure
requirements under Title I of ERISA,
including the requirements to file
annual reports (Form 5500 Series) with
the Department, and to furnish
summary plan descriptions and
summary annual reports to participants
and beneficiaries.
This ICR includes four separate
disclosure requirements. First, at the
time an employee becomes eligible to
participate in the SEP, the administrator
of the SEP must furnish the employee in
writing specific and general information
concerning the SEP; a statement on
rates, transfers and withdrawals; and a
statement on tax treatment. Second, the
administrator of the SEP must furnish
participants with information
concerning any amendments. Third, the
administrator must notify participants
of any employer contributions made to
the IRA. Fourth, in the case of a SEP
that provides integration with Social
Security, the administrator shall provide
participants with a statement on Social
E:\FR\FM\02APN1.SGM
02APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 2, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18002-18003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6766]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 the addresses section
of this notice or at https://www.RegInfo.gov. The Form EFAST-1 is also
available for viewing and downloading through the Department of Labor's
Internet site (https://www.efast.dol.gov).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
addresses section below on or before June 2, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Mr. G. Christopher Cosby, 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,
[[Page 18003]]
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: 1,716.
Estimated Burden Cost (Operating and Maintenance): $2,000.
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: March 27, 2008.
Joseph S. Piacentini,
Director, Office of Policy and Research, Employee Benefits Security
Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-6766 Filed 4-1-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-29-P
