Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 2106-EZ

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 2106-EZ, Unreimbursed Employee Business Expenses.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before June 30, 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 Faye Bruce, (202) 622-6665, Internal Revenue Service, room 5244, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Unreimbursed Employee Business Expenses.

OMB Number: 1545-1441.

Form Number: 2106-EZ.

Abstract: IRC section 62 allows employees to deduct their business expenses to the extent of reimbursement in computing adjusted gross income. Expenses in excess of reimbursements are allowed as an itemized deduction. Unreimbursed meals and entertainment are allowed to the extent of 50% of the expense. Form 2106-EZ is used by employees who are deducting expenses attributable to their jobs and are not reimbursed by their employer for any expenses or who own a vehicle used for business purposes and use the standard mileage rate.

Current Actions: Lines 1b and 1c are being deleted from Part I of Form 2106-EZ to comply with Revenue Procedure 99-38, which prescribes the new standard mileage rate of 32.5 cents per mile, effective 1/1/2000 for the entire year. This is a change from last year's form when there were two different rates during the year. This year there is one rate and taxpayers need only one line to make the computation.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,337,019.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1 hr., 36 min.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,339,230.

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.