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###### Department of the Treasury

###### Internal Revenue Service

# 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 8944, Preparer Hardship Waiver Request, and Form 8948, Preparer Explanation for Not Filing Electronically.

# DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before April 18, 2011 to be assured of consideration.

# ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Yvette B. Lawrence, Internal Revenue Service, Room 6129, 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 Joel Goldberger at (202) 927-9368, at Internal Revenue Service, Room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224, or through the Internet at                         *Joel.P.Goldberger@irs.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

*Title:*                     Form 8944, Preparer Hardship Waiver Request.                

*Title:*                     Form 8948, Preparer Explanation for Not Filing Electronically.                

*OMB Number:*                     1545-2200.                

*Abstract, Form 8944:*                     A tax preparer uses Form 8944 to request a waiver from the requirement to file tax returns on magnetic media when the filing of tax returns on magnetic media would cause a hardship.                

*Abstract, Form 8948:*                     A specified tax return preparer uses Form 8948 to explain which exception applies when a covered return is prepared and filed on paper.                

*Current Actions:*                     There is no change in the paperwork burden previously approved by OMB. This form is being submitted for renewal purposes only.                

*Type of Review:*                     Extension of a currently approved collection.                

*Affected Public:*                     Businesses and other for-profit organizations.                

*Estimated Number of Respondents:*                     8,910,000.                

*Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:*                     18,270,900.                

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.                

Approved: January 31, 2011.

Yvette B. Lawrence,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 2011-3432 Filed 2-15-11; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4830-01-P