Chapter 51 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) imposes Federal excise taxes on alcohol beverages made in or imported into the United States, while exports of such products from the United States are generally not taxed. In addition, the IRC at 26 U.S.C. 7652 applies an equal tax to such products from Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands shipped into the United States, and that section also requires the transfer of most of the taxes collected on such products to the treasuries of those two governments. Under its IRC authorities, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations in 27 parts 26, 27, and 28 require persons exporting or importing alcohol beverages from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to file certain letterhead applications and notices, and to keep certain records, regarding such activities. The collected information is necessary to protect the revenue and ensure compliance with Federal laws and regulations. For alcohol beverages exported or imported from Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, the required information allows TTB to trace shipments of such products, verify excise tax payments and claims for refunds, and calculate payments due to the treasuries of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.