Overview
Title
Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Comment Request for Form 13768
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The IRS wants to know what people think about how much work it takes to fill out a form to join a special tax committee. They're checking to see if they can make it easier and want ideas from everyone by April 21, 2025.
Summary AI
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is inviting public comments on the burden related to Form 13768, the "Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee Membership Application," as part of efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden. Comments should be submitted by April 21, 2025. The form is being reviewed for renewal, with updates in burden calculations increasing the estimated annual burden by 13 hours. The IRS particularly seeks comments evaluating the collection's necessity, accuracy, quality, and methods to minimize respondent burdens, including technological solutions.
Abstract
The Internal Revenue Service, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the 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. Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning the burden related to Form 13768, "Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee Membership Application".
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Sources
AnalysisAI
The notice issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) invites public comments regarding Form 13768, known as the "Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee Membership Application." This initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce paperwork and the respondent burden associated with this form. The IRS has set a deadline of April 21, 2025, for all comments to be received and considered. The form is undergoing review for renewal, and there is a noted increase in its estimated annual burden by 13 hours.
General Summary
The IRS is reaching out to the public and other federal agencies to gather feedback on the utility and burden of Form 13768. This request aligns with the obligations of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which aims to minimize unnecessary paperwork and burden on the public. The IRS is particularly interested in feedback that analyzes the necessity, accuracy, quality, and potential technological improvements for this information collection.
Significant Issues or Concerns
One noticeable issue with the notice is its lack of detailed explanation concerning the increase in the estimated annual burden by 13 hours. Without offering clear justification or calculation, this could lead to questions about transparency and the rationale behind the additional burden.
The notice could also benefit from explaining the nature of the burdens imposed by the form, providing specific examples of how these burdens affect respondents. Furthermore, the statement about not being required to respond to information collection without a valid OMB control number seems unclear. Improved clarity could contribute to better understanding among stakeholders about their obligations and rights.
Additionally, while the document includes a call for public comments, it lacks specific guidance on the kind of feedback that would be most beneficial. Offering more detailed directions might result in more constructive and focused feedback from the public.
Public Impact
The notice has broader implications for the general public, especially those directly interacting with the IRS through Form 13768. Although the goal is to lower the paperwork burden, the increase in estimated hours might translate to more time committed by applicants without a clear explanation of benefits.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For businesses, other for-profit organizations, and individuals who seek membership in the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC), this notice could influence the efficiency and effectiveness of their application processes. A clearer, less burdensome process facilitated by public input could promote more active participation and contribution to the IRS’s strategic electronic tax administration plans.
Concerns remain regarding how the notice communicates its expectations and definitions, impacting how stakeholders perceive and respond to it. Ensuring that the collection process is efficient and clearly articulated is critical to minimizing unnecessary burdens while optimizing participation and feedback quality.
Overall, while the IRS's outreach for feedback is commendable, enhancing clarity and providing detailed justifications can lead to more meaningful engagement from the public and specific stakeholders.
Issues
• The document title and abstract seem clear and directly related to the notice content, but the title mentions 'Comment Request for Form 13768' which might seem repetitive given the abstract already explains the purpose of the comment invitation. Clarification might consolidate the purpose statement.
• The mention of an increase in estimated annual burden by 13 hours is vague. There is no detailed explanation as to how these additional hours were calculated or justified, which could lead to a lack of transparency.
• The abstract states that the IRS is 'soliciting comments concerning the burden related to Form 13768', but it does not provide specific details or examples of what these burdens entail or how they specifically impact respondents.
• The phrase 'an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information' could be clearer if it explained under what circumstances this is permissible.
• The use of 'books or records' in reference to collections of information could be clarified to ensure it is understood that it does not require all documents related to a tax filing to be retained indefinitely.
• The document could benefit from explaining the relationship between the estimated 60-hour annual burden and the strategic impact or benefit it provides to the IRS or respondents.
• The request for comments seems broad; more specific guidelines as to what kind of comments are sought could lead to more useful feedback from the public.