Department of Treasury September 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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, REG-103736-00, Requirement to Maintain List of Investors in Potentially Abusive Tax Shelters.

New Treasury Direct is an account-based, book-entry, online system for purchasing, holding, and conducting transactions in Treasury securities. The system has been referred to as New Treasury Direct because there is an older system concurrently operating that is also named Treasury Direct, for marketable securities only, with different governing regulations. This rule renames the older version of Treasury Direct as Legacy Treasury Direct, and renames New Treasury Direct as, simply, TreasuryDirect (one word). In addition, this rule simplifies the regulatory structure for TreasuryDirect. Initially, we began the system with only one security. Since that time, we have added several securities to the system, each with its own governing subpart. Many of the rules in the subparts governing individual securities are repetitive. For instance, the provisions for decedents' estates differ only slightly in subpart C (savings bonds) from provisions in subpart D (certificates of indebtedness), and subpart E (converted savings bonds). Rather than repeat similar provisions for each security, this rule will integrate the similar provisions into one provision that will apply to all securities in the system. The integrated provisions will be contained in subpart B, which applies to all securities held within the system. Provisions that affect only one security will be contained within the subpart governing that security. In condensing and moving provisions, we are not making substantive changes. We are also amending provisions relating to Internal Revenue Service levies to provide that we will honor levies against the secondary owner of securities owned in the primary/secondary form of ownership if the levy is received at a date when the secondary owner has a right to redeem the security.

This document cancels a public hearing on proposed regulations relating to the tax treatment of certain transfers of partnership equity in connection with the performance of services.

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 Notice 2002-69, Interest Rates and Appropriate Foreign Loss Payment Patterns For Determining the Qualified Insurance Income of Certain Controlled Corporations under Section 954(j).

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 3949-A, Information Referral.

The Financial Management Service (FMS) is publishing additional guidance related to the cashing and accepting for deposit of U.S. Treasury checks for FEMA Disaster Assistance payments and Federal benefit payments (Treasury assistance and benefit checks), such as Social Security payments, to recipients who resided in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. Depository institutions and retailers have experienced difficulty in confirming the identity of Hurricane Katrina evacuees seeking to cash Treasury checks. To encourage depository institutions and retailers to cash Treasury assistance and benefit checks for these individuals, FMS has established an interim policy to relieve depository institutions from liability in a reclamation action based on a forged or unauthorized indorsement. Under the interim policy, Treasury will relieve depository institutions from liability for cashing or subsequently accepting for deposit a Treasury assistance or benefit check bearing a forged or unauthorized indorsement, provided that the procedures set forth in the interim policy are followed.

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(4), this notice announces the appointment of members of the Departmental Offices Performance/Bonus Review Board. The purpose of this Board is to review and make recommendations concerning proposed Performance ratings, bonuses and other appropriate personnel actions for incumbents of SES positions. The Board shall consist of at least three members. In the case of an appraisal of a career appointee, more than half the members shall consist of career appointees. The names and titles of the Board members are attached.

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, REG-209828 (TD 8758), Nuclear Decommissioning Funds; Revised Schedules of Ruling Amounts (Sec. 1.468A-3).

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 4810, Request for Prompt Assessment Under Internal Revenue Code Section 6501(d).

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 8820, Orphan Drug Credit.

This document updates a notice appearing in the Federal Register that announced a public meeting of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) scheduled for September 27, 2005, at the United States Mint in Washington, DC. This action is necessary to update the subject of the meeting as stated in the September 2, 2005 notice (70 FR 52484). Date: September 27, 2005. Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Location: United States Mint, 801 9th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20220 Subject: Review designs for the Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King Congressional Gold Medal and review CCAC Annual Report for 2005. Interested persons should call 202-354-7502 for the latest update on meeting time and room location.

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 existing final regulation, REG-116641-01 Information Reporting and Backup Withholding for Payment Card Transactions.

This document announces the extension of certain time frames under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and Internal Revenue Code for group health plans, disability and other welfare plans, pension plans, participants and beneficiaries of these plans, and group health insurance issuers directly affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Pursuant to the authority contained in 31 U.S.C. 5318A, the Secretary of the Treasury, through his delegate, the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, finds that reasonable grounds exist for concluding that Banco Delta Asia SARL (Banco Delta Asia) is a financial institution of primary money laundering concern.

The OCC, 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 proposed information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Currently, the OCC is soliciting comments concerning an information collection titled ``Bank Secrecy Act/Money Laundering Risk Assessment.''

The Department of the Treasury has submitted the public information collections described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13.

The Department of the Treasury (``Department'' or ``Treasury'') called for the submission of Large Position Reports by those entities whose reportable positions in the 4\3/8\% Treasury Notes of August 2012 equaled or exceeded $2 billion as of close of business September 12, 2005.

This document contains proposed amendments to the regulations relating to a taxpayer's right to a hearing under section 6320 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after the filing of a notice of Federal tax lien (NFTL). The proposed regulations make certain clarifying changes in the way collection due process (CDP) hearings are held and specify the period during which a taxpayer may request an equivalent hearing. The proposed regulations affect taxpayers against whose property or rights to property the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) files a NFTL on or after January 19, 1999. This document also contains a notice of public hearing on these proposed regulations.

This document contains final regulations that provide guidance regarding the satisfaction of the continuity of interest requirement for corporate reorganizations. The final regulations affect corporations and their shareholders.

On July 15, 2005, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (the ``Fund'') announced in a NOAA for the New Markets Tax Credit Program (70 FR 41075) that the deadline for electronic allocation applications is 5 p.m. ET on September 21, 2005. The NOAA also announced that paper allocation applications must be postmarked on or before September 21, 2005 and received by the Fund at the address cited in the NOAA by 5 p.m. ET on September 30, 2005. Due to the recent occurrence of certain natural disasters, the Fund will consider extending these deadlines, on a case-by-case basis, for applicants that have been directly affected by said disasters. In general, to be eligible for an application deadline extension, an applicant must demonstrate that it cannot submit its application by September 21, 2005 because: 1. Its principal place of business is located in a county for which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has: a) issued a ``major disaster declaration'' since July 15, 2005; and b) made a determination that such county is eligible for both ``individual and public assistance''; or 2. There exist mitigating factors directly attributable to the disaster-related conditions in a county for which FEMA has: a) issued a ``major disaster declaration'' since July 15, 2005; and b) made a determination that such county is eligible for both ``individual and public assistance.'' If you would like to request an application deadline extension, you must send your request via e-mail to grantsmanagement@cdfi.treas.gov with the subject line ``Deadline Extension Request: 2006 NMTC Allocation Application.'' If you are unable to file your request by e- mail, you may contact the Fund by telephone at (202) 622-8226 or by facsimile at (202) 622-6453. These are not toll free numbers. Be sure to indicate in your telephone message or fax that you are requesting an extension of the 2006 NMTC Allocation Application deadline. In your request, you must explain why the application deadline extension is necessary, citing the specific circumstances preventing your organization from completing and/or submitting the application materials by the deadlines set forth in the NOAA. You must address, at a minimum, whether: your offices were closed and/or were without electricity for significant periods of time; staff members were not available to work on the application materials during critical periods; and/or other application partners (e.g., investors, consultants, community partners) were not available to provide materials critical to the compilation of a complete application. To ensure full consideration of your request prior to the September 21, 2005 Allocation Application deadline, you should submit your extension request as soon as feasible and by no later than 5 p.m. ET, Monday, September 19, 2005. The Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to request additional supporting documentation before rendering a final determination. Please also note that the Fund is not at this time accepting any requests to extend deadlines pertaining to the issuance of qualified equity investments by prior allocatees planning to apply for allocations in the CY 2006 round of the NMTC Program (see section III.A.2.(a) of the NOAA). The Fund may issue, in its sole discretion, additional guidance on this matter at a later date. All other information and requirements set forth in the July 15, 2005 NOAA shall remain effective, as published.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (``OFAC'') of the U.S. Department of the Treasury is amending the Iraqi Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 575, to unblock debt in which the Government of Iraq has an interest.