Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 6478

AGENCY:

Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments

SUMMARY:

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 6478, Credit for Alcohol Used as Fuel.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before September 12, 2000 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Garrick R. Shear, Internal Revenue Service, room 5244, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the form and instructions should be directed to Carol Savage, (202) 622-3945, Internal Revenue Service, room 5242, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Credit for Alcohol Used as Fuel.

OMB Number: 1545-0231.

Form Number: 6478.

Abstract: IRC section 38(b)(3) allows a nonrefundable income tax credit for businesses that sell or use alcohol mixed with other fuels or sold as straight alcohol. Small ethanol producers are also allowed a nonrefundable credit for production of qualified ethanol. Form 6478 is used to compute the credits.

Current Actions: The order for figuring the tax liability limitation (lines 12 through 22) was revised for this form. Section 501 of Public Law 106-170 extended the provision that allows individuals to offset the regular tax liability in full for personal credits. Previously filers were allowed to claim credits to the extent that the regular tax liability exceeded the tentative minimum tax. For tax years beginning in 2000 and 2001, personal nonrefundable credits may offset both the regular tax and the minimum tax. Also, the computation was changed to reflect and to conform to changes that were made to the tax computation on Form 1040. A new line 14 was added to show the sum of the regular tax before credits and the alternative minimum tax.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,594.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 12 hrs., 46 min.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 20,339.

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.