[Federal Register: June 2, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 105)]
[Notices]               
[Page 32378-32379]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02jn05-107]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment And Training Administration

 
Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the Tax 
Performance System (TPS). Note that the name of this program was 
changed from Revenue Quality Control to the Tax Performance System. A 
copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by 
contacting the employee listed below in the contact section of this 
notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
address below on or before August 1, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Rett Hensley, Office of Workforce Security, Employment and 
Training Administration, Department of Labor, Room S 4522, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC, 20210; 202-693-3203 (this is 
not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Since 1987, states have been required by regulation at 20 CFR Part 
602 to operate a program to assess their Unemployment Insurance (UI) 
tax and benefit programs. TPS developed new measures for tax 
performance to replace those previously gathered under the Quality 
Appraisal system. TPS is designed to assess the major internal UI tax 
functions by utilizing several methodologies: Computed Measures which 
are indicators of timeliness and completeness based on data 
automatically generated via the existing ETA 581, Contribution 
Operations Report (Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval 
number 1205-0178, expiring 8/31/2005); and Program Reviews which assess 
accuracy through a two-fold examination. This examination involves: (a) 
``Systems Reviews'' which examine tax systems for the existence of 
internal controls; and (b) extraction of small samples of those 
systems' transactions which are then examined to verify the 
effectiveness of controls.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
    [diams] Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    [diams] evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    [diams] enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    [diams] minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.

III. Current Actions

    This is a request for OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506 (c) (2) (A)) for continuing an existing 
collection of information previously approved and assigned OMB control 
No. 1205-0332.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration, Department of 
Labor.
    Title: Tax Performance System.
    OMB Number: 1205-0332.
    Affected Public: State government.
    Total Respondents: 52.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Responses: 52.
    Average time per response: 1739 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 90,428.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the extension of the

[[Page 32379]]

information collection request; they will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: May 11, 2005.
Cheryl Atkinson,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Security.
[FR Doc. E5-2795 Filed 6-1-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-30-P