Comments Sought on BATF Alcohol Recordkeeping Requirement

[1] ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

[2] 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms within the Department of the Treasury is soliciting comments concerning the Letterhead Applications and Notices Relating to Tax-Free Alcohol.

[3] DATES: Written comments should be received on or before May 15, 2000 to be assured of consideration.

[4] ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Linda Barnes, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226, (202) 927-8930.

[5] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the form(s) and instructions should be directed to Richard Mascolo, Regulations Division, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226, (202) 927-8210.

[6] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[7] Title: Letterhead Applications and Notices Relating to Tax-Free Alcohol.

[8] OMB Number: 1512-0335.

[9] Recordkeeping Requirement ID Number: ATF REC 5150/4.

[10] Abstract: Tax-free alcohol is used for nonbeverage purposes in scientific research and medicinal uses by educational organizations, hospitals, laboratories, etc. The use of alcohol free of tax is regulated to prevent illegal diverson to taxable beverage use. The record retention requirement for this information collection is 3 years.

[11] Current Actions: There are no changes to this information collection and it is being submitted for extension purposes only.

[12] Type of Review: Extension.

[13] Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions, Federal Government, State, Local or Tribal Government.

[14] Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,444.

[15] Estimated Time Per Respondent: 30 minutes.

[16] Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,222.

[17] 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.

[18] 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.

[19] Dated: March 8, 2000.

William T. Earle,