SUPPORTING STATEMENT
(Forms 943, 943-PR, 943-A and 943A-PR)

1.	CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION

Sections 3101(a) and (b), and 3111(a) and (b), 3402(p), and 6011(a) and (b) of the Internal Revenue Code and sections 31.6011(a)-1 and 31.6011(a)-4 of the Employment Tax Regulations require agricultural employers to report (a) the employees' and employers' FICA taxes on wages and (b) the amounts withheld for income tax.  Form 943 is used for this purpose.

Sections 3101(a) and (b), 3111(a) and (b), and 6011(a) and (b) of the Internal Revenue Code and section 31.6011(a)-1 of the Employment Tax Regulations require agricultural employers in Puerto Rico to report the employees' and employers' FICA taxes on wages.  Form 943-PR is used for this purpose.

Section 6302(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and section 31.6302-l(g) of the Employment Tax Regulations require agricultural employers who are semiweekly depositors to deposit the taxes accumulated during the semiweekly period within 3 banking days of the end of the period.  Section 31.6302-l(c)(3) of the Employment Tax Regulations requires that agricultural employers, who on any day within a deposit period accumulate $100,000 or more of employment taxes, must deposit them by the close of the next banking day.  Forms 943-A and 943A-PR are optional forms that may be used by agricultural employers to show their tax liabilities for the semiweekly periods and $100,000 one-day rule.

2.	USE OF DATA
              
The data is used by the IRS to verify that the correct taxes have been paid.

3.	USE OF IMPROVED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE BURDEN

We have no plans at this time to offer electronic filing for Forms 943, 943-PR, 943-A, and 943A-PR because of low volume compared to cost of electronic enabling.

4.	EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DUPLICATION

We have attempted to eliminate duplication within the agency wherever possible. 

5.	METHODS TO MINIMIZE BURDEN ON SMALL BUSINESSES OR OTHER       SMALL ENTITIES

 	Not applicable.

6.	CONSEQUENCES OF LESS FREQUENT COLLECTION ON FEDERAL PROGRAMS OR POLICY ACTIVITIES

Not applicable.

7.	SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING DATA COLLECTION TO BE     INCONSISTENT WITH GUIDELINES IN 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2)

Not applicable.

8.	CONSULTATION WITH INDIVIDUALS OUTSIDE OF THE AGENCY ON     AVAILABILITY OF DATA, FREQUENCY OF COLLECTION, CLARITY OF INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMS, AND DATA ELEMENTS

Periodic meetings are held between IRS personnel and representatives of the American Bar Association, the National Society of Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and other professional groups to discuss tax law and tax forms.  During these meetings, there is an opportunity for those attending to make comments regarding Forms 943, 943-PR, 943-A and 943-A-PR.
	
In response to the Federal Register Notice dated April 13, 2007 (72 FR 18748), we received no comments during the comment period regarding Forms 943, 943-PR, 943-A and 943-A-PR.

9.	EXPLANATION OF DECISION TO PROVIDE ANY PAYMENT OR GIFT TO RESPONDENTS

Not applicable.

10.	ASSURANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF RESPONSES

Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential as required by 26 USC 6103.

11.	JUSTIFICATION OF SENSITIVE QUESTIONS

Not applicable.
12.	ESTIMATED BURDEN OF INFORMATION COLLECTION

The burden estimate is as follows:

Form	Number of Responses	Time per Response	Total Hours	
943/mailout	337,000	13.01	4,384,370	
943/over the counter	332,000	13.25	4,399,000	
943/Voucher	157,625	.24	37,830	
943/Voucher OTC	8,300	.34	2,822	
943-A	10,000	8.51	85,100	
943-PR	5,305	11.55	61,273	
943A-PR	138	8.51	1,175	
943PR/943-V(PR)OTC	1,305	.34	444	
943-PR (Voucher - Preprinted	4,000	.24	960	
Total	855,673		8,972,974	

Estimates of the annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens shown are not available at this time.

The following regulations impose no additional burden.  Please continue to assign OMB number 1545-0035 to these regulations.

31.6011(a)-1(2)
31.6011(a)-1
31.6011(a)-4
31.6302-1

13.     ESTIMATED TOTAL ANNUAL COST BURDEN TO RESPONDENTS

As suggested by OMB, our Federal Register notice dated April 13, 2007 (72 FR 18748), requested public comments on estimates of cost burden that are not captured in the estimates of burden hours, i.e., estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.  However, we did not receive any response from taxpayers on this subject.  As a result, estimates of the cost burdens are not available at this time.

14.	ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

After consultation with various functions within the Service, we have determined that the cost of developing, printing, processing, distribution and overhead for Forms 943, 943-PR, 943-A and 943A-PR is $315,865.

15.	REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN

When combining the separate burden estimates for each IC, it was discovered that the total estimated burden was higher than previously requested by 5,738 hours.  
With the creation of the new form 943-X and 943-X (PR), we estimate an additional 1,902,100 will be needed to complete these forms per TD 9405.  

We are making this submission to renew the OMB approval.	

16.	PLANS FOR TABULATION, STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND PUBLICATION

Not applicable.

17.	REASONS WHY DISPLAYING THE OMB EXPIRATION DATE IS     INAPPROPRIATE

See attachment.

18.	EXCEPTIONS TO THE CERTIFICATION STATEMENT ON OMB FORM 83-I

Not applicable.

Note:  The following paragraph applies to all of the collections of information in this submission:

	 An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number.  Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law.  Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.