[Federal Register: November 28, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 230)]
[Notices]
[Page 72446-72447]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28no08-36]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Quarterly
Survey of State and Local Tax Revenues
AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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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: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on
or before January 27, 2008.
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, 4600 Silver Hill
Road, Washington, DC 20233 (301-763-7330).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The 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 publish 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.
Data are collected on a quarterly basis from state and local government
tax collecting agencies.
Tax collection data are used to measure economic activity for the
Nation as a whole, as well as for comparison among the various states.
These data also are 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:
The Quarterly Survey of Property Tax Collections (Form F-71) is
sent to 5,379 local government tax collecting agencies in 592 county
areas. While some counties are served by a single county-level tax
collection agency, others have county, city, township, and even school
district collectors. Each agency is asked to report the total property
tax collections during the past quarter. In addition to the current
sample, Census is implementing a new sample which will increase the
overall collection size to 6,946 local government tax collecting
agencies in 609 county areas (with 4,002 local governments overlapping
on both samples). This sample revision will ensure that this portion of
the survey meets OMB's statistical standards. We will continue to
collect the concurrent samples for four quarters at which time
[[Page 72447]]
a bridge study will be conducted and the old sample will be
discontinued.
The Quarterly Survey of State Tax Collections (Form F-72) is sent
to a state-level revenue, finance, or budget agency in each state to
report tax collection data for the preceding 3-month period.
The Quarterly Survey of Selected Local Taxes (Form F-73) is sent to
111 local tax collection agencies known to have substantial collections
of local general sales and/or local individual income taxes.
II. Method of Collection
The F-71 survey is conducted by mail canvass from the Census
Bureau's National Processing Center (NPC). Responses are either
screened manually and then entered in the system at the NPC or entered
directly by respondents via the Internet.
The F-72 and F-73 forms are sent to respondents by email or
facsimile (as requested by respondent). Respondents submit the forms by
mail, email, facsimile or Internet. (Email and facsimile are accepted
but not encouraged.)
In those instances when we are not able to obtain a response a
follow-up is conducted.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0607-0112.
Form Number: F-71, F-72, and F-73.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: State and local governments.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,108.
Estimated Time per Response: 25 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,159.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $162,151.
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 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: November 21, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-28216 Filed 11-26-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P