Residents want to know if they have exposure to pollutants in their community. Taxpayers expect quick responses from the IRS and fast income tax refunds. Often, when the government collects and disseminates information to the public it can eliminate the need for an expensive regulatory approach. Most of the information needs of the Federal Government flow from statutes passed by Congress. Some requirements reflect agency decisions on what information they need to implement programs.
New statutes can lead to new information requirements.
These Acts required the IRS to add and revise reporting requirements that increased paperwork burden for taxpayers by approximately 150 million hours in FY 1999. While information plays a critical role in good government, the collection of that information imposes a cost on the public. It takes time to supply information to the government. Subject to existing statutory requirements and constraints, the PRA emphasizes that agencies must strike a balance, collecting the right information to meet their responsibilities to the public while not requiring information that is unnecessary or unavailable. In their exercise of discretion, agencies should collect only information necessary to their mission.