[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 183 (Monday, September 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49555-49556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25048]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program Between the 
Department of Veterans Affairs and the Internal Revenue Service, 
Department of the Treasury

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of computer matching program.

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    Notice is hereby given that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) propose to conduct a computer 
matching program. The purpose of the program is to locate taxpayers who 
owe delinquent debts to the Federal Government as a result of their 
participation in benefit programs (including health care) administered 
by VA. Once located, VA will pursue collection of debts through 
voluntary payments. If such payments are not forthcoming, VA may seek 
involuntary collection under the provisions of the Debt Collection Act 
of 1982.
    The legal authority for undertaking this matching program is 
contained in the Internal Revenue Code at 26 U.S.C. 6103(m)(2)(A). VA 
and IRS have concluded an agreement to conduct the matching program 
pursuant to provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 
552a(o)). IRS will act as recipient (i.e., matching) agency. VA will 
provide a tape extract to IRS that contains the Name Control (the first 
four characters of the surname) and social security number (SSN) of 
each record subject. IRS will compare the tape extract against its 
database of taxpayers who have filed Federal Individual Income Tax 
Returns, establishing ``hits'' (i.e., individuals common to both tapes) 
on the basis of matched SSN's and Name Controls. For each hit, IRS will 
disclose to VA the following information: Name Control, SSN, and latest 
street address, P.O. Box or other address furnished by the taxpayer.
    Records to be Matched: The systems of records maintained by the 
respective agencies from which records will be disclosed for the 
purpose of this computer match are as follows:
    IRS: Individual Master File (IMF), Treasury/IRS 24.030, containing 
millions of records of taxpayers who have filed Federal Individual 
Income Tax Returns. A full description of the system of records was 
last published at 60 FR 56787 (November 9, 1995).
    VA: Accounts Receivable Records--VA (88VA20A6) containing records 
of approximately 350,000 debtors. Disclosure will be made under routine

[[Page 49556]]

use No. 18 of that system, a full description of which was last 
published in 61 FR 60148 on November 26, 1996.
    The matching program is expected to begin on or about October 22, 
1997, and continue in effect for 18 months. The agreement governing the 
matching program and, thus, the matching program, may be extended an 
additional 12 months with the respective approval of VA's and the 
Department of the Treasury's Data Integrity Boards. Such extension must 
occur within three months prior to expiration of the 18-month period 
set forth above and under the terms set forth in 5 U.S.C. 
552a(o)(2)(D).

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, 
suggestions, or objections regarding the proposal to conduct the 
matching program to the Director, Office of Regulations Management 
(02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Room 
1154, Washington, DC 20420. All relevant material received before 
October 22, 1997, will be considered. All written comments received 
will be available for public inspection in the Office of Regulations 
Management, Room 1158, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, 
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Fridays, except holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Gottsacker, Debt Management 
Center (389/00A), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bishop Henry Whipple 
Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Ft. Snelling, Minnesota 55111, (612) 
725-1844.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information is required by the Privacy 
Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(12)). A copy of this notice 
has been provided to both Houses of Congress and OMB.

    Approved: September 8, 1997.
Hershel W. Gober,
Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-25048 Filed 9-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-M