Department of the Treasury February 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The United States Mint is increasing the prices for purchases of American Eagle silver and gold proof coins because of recent increases of the cost of silver and gold. Pursuant to the authority that 31 U.S.C. 5112(f)&(i) grants to the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue silver and gold coins, and the authority that 31 U.S.C. 5111(a)(3) grants to the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare and distribute numismatic items, the United States Mint mints and issues 1-ounce silver proof coins known as ``American Eagle Silver Proof Coins,'' and 1-ounce, \1/2\-ounce, \1/4\-ounce, and \1/10\-ounce gold proof coins known as ``American Eagle Gold Proof Coins.'' The United States Mint is changing the price of these coins to reflect the increased costs of their precious metal content. Accordingly, effective February 2, 2006, the United States Mint will commence selling these coins according to the following price schedule: Silver 1-ounce ($27.95); gold four-coin set ($1,350); gold 1-ounce ($770); gold \1/2\-ounce ($385); gold \1/4\-ounce ($200); gold \1/10\- ounce ($100).

As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network invites comment on a proposed renewal, without change, to information collections found in regulations requiring futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, banks, savings associations, credit unions, certain non-federally regulated banks, mutual funds, and broker-dealers, to develop and implement customer identification programs reasonably designed to prevent those financial institutions from being used to facilitate money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities. This request for comment is being made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

The OTS, Board, FDIC, NCUA, and OCC (collectively, the ``Agencies''), have finalized the Interagency Advisory on the Unsafe and Unsound Use of Limitation of Liability Provisions in External Audit Engagement Letters (``Advisory''). The Advisory informs financial institutions'' boards of directors, audit committees, and management that they should not enter into agreements that incorporate unsafe and unsound external auditor limitation of liability provisions with respect to engagements for financial statement audits, audits of internal control over financial reporting, and attestations on management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting.

The Financial Management Service, 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 a continuing information collection. By this notice, the Financial Management Service solicits comments concerning the form ``Voucher for Payment of Awards.''

This document proposes modifications of the regulations governing practice before the IRS (Circular 230). These proposed regulations affect individuals who practice before the IRS. The proposed amendments modify the general standards of practice before the IRS. This document also provides notice of a public hearing on the proposed regulations.

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 13750, Election to Participate in Announcement 2005-80 Settlement Initiative.

An open meeting of the Small Business/Self EmployedTaxpayer Burden Reduction Committee of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel will be conducted (via teleconference). The TAP will be discussing issues pertaining to increasing compliance and lessening the burden for Small Business/Self Employed individuals.

This document withdraws in part a notice of proposed rulemaking under section 468B of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) relating to the taxation and reporting of income earned on qualified settlement funds and certain other funds, trusts, and escrow accounts. This document also contains proposed regulations under section 468B regarding the taxation of the income earned on escrow accounts, trusts, and other funds used during deferred exchanges of like-kind property, and proposed regulations under section 7872 regarding below-market loans to facilitators of these exchanges. The proposed regulations affect taxpayers that engage in deferred like-kind exchanges and escrow holders, trustees, qualified intermediaries, and others that hold funds during deferred like-kind exchanges. This document also provides notice of a public hearing on these proposed regulations.

As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite comment on a proposed renewal, without change, to information collections found in existing regulations requiring money services businesses, mutual funds, operators of credit card systems, dealers in precious metals, stones, or jewels, and certain insurance companies to develop and implement written anti-money laundering programs reasonably designed to prevent those financial institutions from being used to facilitate money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities. Comment also is invited on an existing proposed regulation that would require unregistered investment companies to establish and maintain written anti-money laundering programs and to file a notice with us identifying themselves and providing related basic information. This request for comments is being made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104- 13, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is issuing a temporary rule implementing the quarterly excise tax payment procedure contained in section 5061 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended by section 11127 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. In this notice of proposed rulemaking, we are soliciting comments from all interested parties on the regulatory amendments to implement this new payment period. The text of the regulations in the temporary rule published in the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register serves as the text of the proposed regulations.

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 6559, Transmitter Report and Summary of Magnetic Media and Form 6559-A, Continuation Sheet for Form 6559.

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 an existing final regulation, IA-74-93, (TD 8623), Substantiation Requirement for Certain Contributions (Sec. 1.170A-13).

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 Schedule F, Part II and III (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Farming.

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 Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Business.

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 Schedule E (Form 1040), Supplemental Income and Loss.

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 Revenue Procedure 2002-47, Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System.

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 an existing final regulation, CO-26-96 (TD 8825), Regulations Under section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; Application of Section 382 in Short Taxable Years and With Respect to Controlled Groups (Sec. 1.382-8).

It is in the public interest to continue the existence of the Art Advisory Panel. The current charter of the Art Advisory Panel will be renewed for a period of two years.

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 Revenue Procedure 96-60, Procedure for filing Forms W-2 in certain acquisitions.

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 5498-ESA, Coverdell ESA Contribution Information.

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 an existing final regulation, IA-17-90 (TD 8571), Reporting Requirements for Recipients of Points Paid on Residential Mortgages (Sec. Sec. 1.6050H-1 and 1.6050H-2).