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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 709, United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return. 

# DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before August 6, 2001, 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:*                     United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return.                 

*OMB Number:*                     1545-0020.                 

*Form Number:*                     709.                 

*Abstract:*                     Form 709 is used by individuals to report transfers subject to the gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes and to compute these taxes. The IRS uses the information to collect and enforce these taxes, to verify that the taxes are properly computed, and to compute the tax base for the estate tax.                 

*Current Actions:*                     On Form 709, in the “Sign Here” area at the bottom of the page, a new checkbox is added for paid preparer authorization.                 

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

*Affected Public:*                     Individuals or households.                 

*Estimated Number of Respondents:*                     130,000.                 

*Estimated Time Per Respondent:*                     4 hours, 43 minutes.                 

*Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:*                     613,600.                 

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: May 29, 2001.

Garrick R. Shear, 

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 01-14393 Filed 6-6-01; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4830-01-U