Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Disclosure of Returns and Return Information to Designee of Taxpayer, 53232-53233 [2015-21755]

Agencies

• Internal Revenue Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53232-53233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21755]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service


Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Disclosure of Returns 
and Return Information to Designee of Taxpayer

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This final regulation relates to the disclosure of returns and 
return information to a designee of the taxpayer. The regulations 
provide guidance to IRS employees responsible for disclosing returns 
and return information and to taxpayers who wish to designate a person 
or persons to whom returns and return information may be disclosed.
    Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning the disclosure 
of returns and return information to a designee of a taxpayer.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before November 2, 
2015 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Christie Preston, Internal 
Revenue Service, Room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, 
DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of this regulation should be directed to Joseph Durbala at 
Internal Revenue Service, Room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20224, or at (202)317-5746, or through the Internet at 
RJoseph.Durbala@irs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Disclosure of Returns and Return Information to Designee of 
Taxpayer.
    OMB Number: 1545-1816.
    Regulation Project Number: TD 9054, as amended by TD 9618.
    Abstract: Under section 6103(a), returns and return information are 
confidential unless disclosure is otherwise authorized by the Code. 
Section 6103(c), as amended in 1996 by section 1207 of the Taxpayer 
Bill of Rights II, Public Law 104-168 (110 Stat. 1452), authorizes the 
IRS to disclose returns and return information to such person or 
persons as the taxpayer may designate in a request for or consent to 
disclosure, or to any other person at the taxpayer's request to the 
extent necessary to comply with a request for information or assistance 
made by the taxpayer to such other person. Disclosure is permitted 
subject to such requirements and conditions as may be prescribed by 
regulations. With the amendment in 1996, Congress eliminated the 
longstanding requirement that disclosures to designees of the taxpayer 
must be pursuant to the written request or consent of the taxpayer.
    Current Actions: There is no change to this final regulation.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other not-
for-profit institutions, farms, and Federal, state, local or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 12 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 800.
    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.


[[Page 53233]]


    Approved: August 25, 2015.
R. Joseph Durbala,
IRS Tax Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2015-21755 Filed 9-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4830-01-P