[Federal Register: December 21, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 244)]
[Notices]
[Page 75791-75792]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21de05-32]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
Quarterly Survey of State and Local Government Tax Revenue
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, 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)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 21,
2006.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet
at DHynek@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Christopher Pece, Chief, Public Finance Analysis
Branch-B, Governments Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC
20233-6800 (301-763-7330).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The U.S. Census Bureau plans to request an extension of the
Quarterly Survey of State and Local Tax Revenue. The Census Bureau
needs state and local tax data to produce benchmark statistics on
public sector taxes; to provide data to the Bureau of Economic Analysis
for GDP calculations and other economic indicators; and to provide data
for economic research and comparative studies of governmental finances.
The Census Bureau collects data quarterly from state and local
government tax collecting agencies.
Tax collection data serve as important measures of economic
activity for the Nation as a whole, as well as for comparison among the
various states. These data are also useful in comparing the mix of
taxes employed by individual states and in determining the revenue
raising capacity of different types of taxes.
The survey collects data using three forms:
Form F-71 obtains data on local government property taxes.
The Census Bureau sends this form to 5,448 local government tax-
collecting agencies in 530 county areas. While some counties are served
by a single county-level tax collection agency, others have a mix of
county, city, township, special district, and school district
collectors. The form requests that each collecting agency report the
total property tax collections during the past quarter.
Form F-72 obtains data on state government taxes. The
Census Bureau sends this form to state government revenue, finance, or
budget agencies to obtain tax collection data for the preceding 3-month
period.
Form F-73 obtains data on major local government non-
property taxes. Currently 111 local government tax collection agencies
with substantial collections of local general sales and local income
taxes qualify to receive this form.
II. Method of Collection
The Census Bureau canvasses the F-71 respondents by mail. Census
Bureau staff manually screen most responses and enter data via an
internal Web site. We encourage governments to respond via the
Internet, where they can enter data directly.
We fashion the F-72 requests according to respondents wishes,
either e-mail or facsimile.
Respondents have several options for replying--e-mail, postal
service, or electronically. The Census Bureau dispatches the F-73 forms
by postal service, facsimile, or electronically, as requested by the
governments. Respondents may use any of these formats for the returns.
In those instances when we are not able to obtain a response we
conduct a follow-up.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0607-0112.
Form Number: F-71, F-72, and F-73.
Type of Review: Regular.
Affected Public: State and local governments.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,610.
Estimated Time Per Response: 25 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,661.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: The estimated cost to the respondents
is $113,277.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., section 182.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
[[Page 75792]]
burden of the collection of information on respondents, including
through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: December 15, 2005.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E5-7586 Filed 12-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P