81_FR_4237 81 FR 4221 - Special Enrollment Examination User Fee for Enrolled Agents

81 FR 4221 - Special Enrollment Examination User Fee for Enrolled Agents

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 16 (January 26, 2016)

Page Range4221-4223
FR Document2016-01629

This document contains proposed amendments to the regulation relating to the user fee for the special enrollment examination to become an enrolled agent. The charging of user fees is authorized by the Independent Offices Appropriations Act (IOAA) of 1952. This document also contains a notice of public hearing on this proposed regulation. The proposed regulation affects individuals taking the enrolled agent special enrollment examination.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 16 (Tuesday, January 26, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 26, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4221-4223]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01629]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[REG-134122-15]
RIN 1545-BN09


Special Enrollment Examination User Fee for Enrolled Agents

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public hearing.

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

SUMMARY: This document contains proposed amendments to the regulation 
relating to the user fee for the special enrollment examination to 
become an enrolled agent. The charging of user fees is authorized by 
the Independent Offices Appropriations Act (IOAA) of 1952. This 
document also contains a notice of public hearing on this proposed 
regulation. The proposed regulation affects individuals taking the 
enrolled agent special enrollment examination.

DATES: Written or electronic comments must be received by February 24, 
2016. Requests to speak and outlines of topics to be discussed at the 
public hearing scheduled for February 25, 2016, must be received by 
February 24, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-134122-15), Room 
5203, Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, 
Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand-delivered between the 
hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-134122-15), Courier's 
Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC, or sent via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
www.regulations.gov (IRS REG-134122-15). The public hearing will be 
held in the IRS Auditorium, Internal Revenue Building, 1111 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning this proposed regulation, 
Jonathan R. Black, (202) 317-6845; concerning submissions of comments 
and/or requests for a hearing, Regina Johnson (202) 317-6901 (not toll-
free numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Explanation of Provisions

    Section 330 of title 31 of the United States Code authorizes the 
Secretary of the Treasury to regulate the practice of representatives 
before the Treasury Department. Pursuant to section 330 of title 31, 
the Secretary has published regulations governing practice before the 
IRS in 31 CFR part 10 and reprinted the regulations as Treasury 
Department Circular No. 230 (Circular 230). Circular 230 is 
administered by the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).
    Section 10.4(a) of Circular 230 authorizes the IRS to grant status 
as enrolled agents to individuals who demonstrate special competence in 
tax matters by passing a written examination (Enrolled Agent Special 
Enrollment Examination (EA-SEE)) administered by, or under the 
oversight of, the IRS and who have not engaged in any conduct that 
would justify suspension or disbarment under Circular 230. Starting in 
2006, the IRS engaged the services of a third-party contractor to 
develop and administer the EA-SEE.
    After becoming enrolled, an enrolled agent must, as provided in 
Sec.  10.6(d), renew enrollment every three years to maintain active 
enrollment and to be able to practice before the IRS. To qualify for 
renewal, an enrolled agent must certify the completion of the 
continuing education requirements set forth in Sec.  10.6(e). There are 
currently approximately 55,600 enrolled agents.

[[Page 4222]]

    The EA-SEE is comprised of three parts, which are offered in a 
testing period that begins each May 1 and ends the last day of the 
following February. The EA-SEE is not available in March and April, 
during which period it is updated to reflect changes in the relevant 
law. When it determined the current fee, the IRS estimated that 
individuals would take 34,000 parts of the EA-SEE each year. That 
number of parts has not been reached in any year. In the testing 
periods beginning in 2012, 2013, and 2014, the contractor administered 
approximately 18,900, 19,500, and 22,400 parts of the EA-SEE, 
respectively. During the testing period beginning May 2016, the IRS 
estimates that individuals taking the EA-SEE will take 20,000 parts. 
More information on the EA-SEE, including content, scoring, and how to 
register, can be found on the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov/Tax-Professionals/Enrolled-Agents/.
    The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (IOAA) of 1952, which is 
codified at 31 U.S.C. 9701, authorizes agencies to prescribe 
regulations that establish charges for services they provide. These 
charges include user fees. The charges must be fair and must be based 
on the costs to the government, the value of the service to the 
recipient, the public policy or interest served, and other relevant 
facts. The IOAA provides that regulations implementing user fees are 
subject to policies prescribed by the President, which are currently 
set forth in the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-25, 58 FR 
38142 (July 15, 1993) (the OMB Circular). The OMB Circular encourages 
user fees for government-provided services that confer benefits on 
identifiable recipients over and above those benefits received by the 
general public. Under the OMB Circular, an agency that seeks to impose 
a user fee for government-provided services must calculate the full 
cost of providing those services. In general, a user fee should be set 
at an amount that allows the agency to recover the full cost of 
providing the special service, unless the Office of Management and 
Budget grants an exception.
    As discussed above, Circular 230 Sec.  10.4(a) provides that IRS 
will grant enrolled agent status to an applicant if the applicant, 
among other things, demonstrates special competence in tax matters by 
written examination. The EA-SEE is the written examination that tests 
special competence in tax matters for purposes of that provision, and 
an applicant must pass all parts of the EA-SEE to be granted enrolled 
agent status through written examination. The IRS confers a benefit on 
individuals who take the EA-SEE beyond those that accrue to the general 
public by providing them with an opportunity to demonstrate special 
competence in tax matters by passing a written examination and 
therefore satisfying one of the requirements for becoming an enrolled 
agent under Circular 230 Sec.  10.4(a). Because the opportunity to take 
the EA-SEE is a special benefit, IRS charges a user fee to take the 
examination.
    Pursuant to the guidelines in the OMB Circular, the IRS has 
calculated its cost of providing examination services under the 
enrolled agent program. The proposed user fee will be implemented under 
the authority of the IOAA and the OMB Circular and will recover the 
full cost of overseeing the program. The current user fee is $11 to 
take each part of the EA-SEE. The contractor who administers the EA-SEE 
also charges individuals taking the EA-SEE an additional fee for its 
services. For the May 2015 to February 2016 testing period, the 
contractor's fee is $98 for each part of the EA-SEE.
    Increased costs incurred by the IRS to implement the EA-SEE program 
require an increase in the EA-SEE user fee. These increased costs are 
primarily attributable to the following: (1) The cost for background 
checks required under Publication 4812, ``Contractor Security 
Controls,'' for individuals working at the contractor's testing centers 
increased by $270,000 per year; (2) the IRS estimates that the 
contractor will administer 14,000 fewer parts of the EA-SEE per year 
than the estimated number used to calculate the $11 fee, and the total 
costs are therefore being recovered from fewer individuals; and (3) the 
IRS's costs of verifying the contractor's compliance with the 
information technology security requirements necessary to protect the 
personally identifiable information of individuals taking the EA-SEE 
have increased, because Publication 4812 has strengthened those 
requirements.
    In addition, IRS original estimates of the cost to oversee the 
contract did not cover all the work the IRS now performs. The proposed 
fee more accurately accounts for the time and personnel necessary to 
oversee the development and administration of the EA-SEE and to ensure 
the contractor complies with the terms of its contract. IRS costs for 
oversight include costs associated with: (1) Review and approval of 
materials used by the contractor in developing the EA-SEE; (2) review 
of surveys of existing enrolled agents, which help to determine the 
topics to be covered in the EA-SEE; (3) composition of potential EA-SEE 
questions in coordination with the contractor's external tax law 
experts; (4) Office of Chief Counsel review and revision of the 
potential questions for legal accuracy; and (5) analysis of the answers 
and raw scores of a testing population to determine what should be a 
passing score.
    Further, IRS personnel ensure the contractor's compliance with its 
contract by reviewing the work of the contractor using an annual Work 
Breakdown Structure--a project management tool--and reviewing and 
verifying that the contractor is in compliance with its Quality 
Assurance Plan regarding customer satisfaction and accuracy. The IRS 
incurs additional costs associated with resolution of test-related 
issues such as cheating incidents, appeals regarding scores, refund 
requests, and customer service complaints that have not been resolved 
at the contractor level.
    Taking into account the full amount of these costs, the user fee 
for the EA-SEE is proposed to be increased to $99 per part.

Special Analyses

    Certain IRS regulations, including this one, are exempt from the 
requirements of Executive Order 12866, as supplemented and reaffirmed 
by Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not 
required. It also has been determined that section 553(b) of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to 
this proposed regulation.
    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6), it 
is hereby certified that this proposed regulation, if adopted, would 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities because it primarily affects individuals who take the enrolled 
agent examination and does not directly affect small entities. 
Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. 
Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, this notice 
of proposed rulemaking has been submitted to the Chief Counsel for 
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact 
on small business.

Comments and Public Hearing

    Before this proposed regulation is adopted as a final regulation, 
consideration will be given to any comments that are submitted timely 
to the IRS as prescribed in the preamble under the ADDRESSES section. 
The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments on all aspects of 
the proposed regulation. All comments

[[Page 4223]]

submitted will be made available at www.regulations.gov or upon 
request.
    A public hearing has been scheduled for February 25, 2016, 
beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the IRS Auditorium, Internal Revenue 
Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC. Due to building 
security procedures, visitors must enter at the Constitution Avenue 
entrance. All visitors must present photo identification to enter the 
building. Because of access restrictions, visitors will not be admitted 
beyond the immediate entrance area more than 30 minutes before the 
hearing starts. For information about having your name placed on the 
building access list to attend the hearing, see the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble.
    The rules of 26 CFR 601.601(a)(3) apply to the hearing. Persons who 
wish to present oral comments at the hearing must submit written or 
electronic comments and an outline of the topics to be discussed and 
the time to be devoted to each topic by February 24, 2016. A period of 
10 minutes will be allocated to each person for making comments.
    An agenda showing the scheduling of the speakers will be prepared 
after the deadline for receiving outlines has passed. Copies of the 
agenda will be available free of charge at the hearing.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of this regulation is Jonathan R. Black of the 
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure and Administration).

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 300

    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, User fees.

Proposed Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 300 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 300--USER FEES

0
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 300 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  31 U.S.C. 9701.

0
Par. 2. Section 300.4 is amended by revising paragraphs (b) and (d) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  300.4  Enrolled agent special enrollment examination fee.

* * * * *
    (b) Fee. The fee for taking the enrolled agent special enrollment 
examination is $99 per part, which is the cost to the government for 
overseeing the development and administration of the examination and 
does not include any fees charged by the administrator of the 
examination.
* * * * *
    (d) Effective/applicability date. This section applies on and after 
the date of publication of a Treasury decision adopting this rule as a 
final regulation in the Federal Register.

Karen M. Schiller,
Acting Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2016-01629 Filed 1-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4830-01-P



                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 16 / Tuesday, January 26, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                              4221

                                                    as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this              Aviation Administration proposes to                      scheduled for February 25, 2016, must
                                                    document. FAA Order 7400.9Z lists                       amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:                         be received by February 24, 2016.
                                                    Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas,                                                                          ADDRESSES: Send submissions to:
                                                    air traffic service routes, and reporting               PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,
                                                                                                                                                                     CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–134122–15), Room
                                                    points.                                                 B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
                                                                                                                                                                     5203, Internal Revenue Service, P.O.
                                                                                                            TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND
                                                    The Proposal                                                                                                     Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station,
                                                                                                            REPORTING POINTS
                                                                                                                                                                     Washington, DC 20044. Submissions
                                                       The FAA is proposing an amendment                                                                             may be hand-delivered between the
                                                    to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations                 ■ 1. The authority citation for 14 CFR
                                                                                                            part 71 continues to read as follows:                    hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to
                                                    (14 CFR) Part 71 by removing Class D                                                                             CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–134122–15),
                                                    airspace at Pearson Field Airport,                        Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103,            Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue
                                                    Vancouver, WA. FAA Joint Order                          40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR,
                                                                                                                                                                     Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW.,
                                                    7400.2K states that if non-towered                      1959–1963 Comp., p. 389.
                                                                                                                                                                     Washington, DC, or sent via the Federal
                                                    airports requiring a surface area, the                                                                           eRulemaking Portal at
                                                                                                            § 71.1       [Amended]
                                                    airspace will be designated Class E.                                                                             www.regulations.gov (IRS REG–134122–
                                                    There is no operating control tower at                  ■ 2. The incorporation by reference in
                                                                                                            14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9Z,                        15). The public hearing will be held in
                                                    Pearson Field Airport, Vancouver, WA,                                                                            the IRS Auditorium, Internal Revenue
                                                    which would remove the necessity of                     Airspace Designations and Reporting
                                                                                                            Points, dated August 6, 2015, and                        Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue
                                                    the Class D airspace.                                                                                            NW., Washington, DC.
                                                       Class D airspace designations are                    effective September 15, 2015, is
                                                    published in paragraph 5000 of FAA                      amended as follows:                                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                    Order 7400.9Y, dated August 6, 2014,                    Paragraph 5000         Class D Airspace.                 Concerning this proposed regulation,
                                                    and effective September 15, 2014, which                                                                          Jonathan R. Black, (202) 317–6845;
                                                                                                            *        *      *       *      *
                                                    is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR                                                                           concerning submissions of comments
                                                    71.1. The Class D airspace designations                 ANM WA D            Vancouver, WA [Removed]              and/or requests for a hearing, Regina
                                                    listed in this document will be                                                                                  Johnson (202) 317–6901 (not toll-free
                                                                                                              Issued in Seattle, Washington, on January
                                                    published subsequently in the Order.                    19, 2016.
                                                                                                                                                                     numbers).
                                                    Regulatory Notices and Analyses                         Mindy Wright,                                            SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                            Acting Manager, Operations Support Group,                Background and Explanation of
                                                       The FAA has determined that this
                                                                                                            Western Service Center.
                                                    regulation only involves an established                                                                          Provisions
                                                                                                            [FR Doc. 2016–01415 Filed 1–25–16; 8:45 am]
                                                    body of technical regulations for which                                                                             Section 330 of title 31 of the United
                                                                                                            BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                    frequent and routine amendments are                                                                              States Code authorizes the Secretary of
                                                    necessary to keep them operationally                                                                             the Treasury to regulate the practice of
                                                    current, is non-controversial and                                                                                representatives before the Treasury
                                                    unlikely to result in adverse or negative               DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
                                                                                                                                                                     Department. Pursuant to section 330 of
                                                    comments. It, therefore: (1) Is not a                                                                            title 31, the Secretary has published
                                                    ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under                 Internal Revenue Service
                                                                                                                                                                     regulations governing practice before
                                                    Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a                                                                              the IRS in 31 CFR part 10 and reprinted
                                                    ‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT                          26 CFR Part 1
                                                                                                                                                                     the regulations as Treasury Department
                                                    Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44                  [REG–134122–15]                                          Circular No. 230 (Circular 230). Circular
                                                    FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3)                                                                            230 is administered by the IRS Office of
                                                    does not warrant preparation of a                       RIN 1545–BN09
                                                                                                                                                                     Professional Responsibility (OPR).
                                                    regulatory evaluation as the anticipated
                                                                                                            Special Enrollment Examination User                         Section 10.4(a) of Circular 230
                                                    impact is so minimal. Since this is a
                                                                                                            Fee for Enrolled Agents                                  authorizes the IRS to grant status as
                                                    routine matter that will only affect air
                                                                                                                                                                     enrolled agents to individuals who
                                                    traffic procedures and air navigation, it               AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS),                  demonstrate special competence in tax
                                                    is certified that this rule, when                       Treasury.                                                matters by passing a written
                                                    promulgated, would not have a                           ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking                    examination (Enrolled Agent Special
                                                    significant economic impact on a                        and notice of public hearing.                            Enrollment Examination (EA–SEE))
                                                    substantial number of small entities
                                                                                                                                                                     administered by, or under the oversight
                                                    under the criteria of the Regulatory                    SUMMARY:   This document contains                        of, the IRS and who have not engaged
                                                    Flexibility Act.                                        proposed amendments to the regulation                    in any conduct that would justify
                                                    Environmental Review                                    relating to the user fee for the special                 suspension or disbarment under
                                                                                                            enrollment examination to become an                      Circular 230. Starting in 2006, the IRS
                                                       This proposal will be subject to an                  enrolled agent. The charging of user fees
                                                    environmental analysis in accordance                                                                             engaged the services of a third-party
                                                                                                            is authorized by the Independent                         contractor to develop and administer
                                                    with FAA Order 1050.1F,                                 Offices Appropriations Act (IOAA) of
                                                    ‘‘Environmental Impacts: Policies and                                                                            the EA–SEE.
                                                                                                            1952. This document also contains a                         After becoming enrolled, an enrolled
                                                    Procedures’’ prior to any FAA final                     notice of public hearing on this                         agent must, as provided in § 10.6(d),
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                                                    regulatory action.                                      proposed regulation. The proposed                        renew enrollment every three years to
                                                    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71                      regulation affects individuals taking the                maintain active enrollment and to be
                                                                                                            enrolled agent special enrollment                        able to practice before the IRS. To
                                                      Airspace, Incorporation by reference,
                                                                                                            examination.                                             qualify for renewal, an enrolled agent
                                                    Navigation (air).
                                                                                                            DATES:  Written or electronic comments                   must certify the completion of the
                                                    The Proposed Amendment                                  must be received by February 24, 2016.                   continuing education requirements set
                                                      Accordingly, pursuant to the                          Requests to speak and outlines of topics                 forth in § 10.6(e). There are currently
                                                    authority delegated to me, the Federal                  to be discussed at the public hearing                    approximately 55,600 enrolled agents.


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                                                    4222                   Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 16 / Tuesday, January 26, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                       The EA–SEE is comprised of three                     take the EA–SEE beyond those that                      potential EA–SEE questions in
                                                    parts, which are offered in a testing                   accrue to the general public by                        coordination with the contractor’s
                                                    period that begins each May 1 and ends                  providing them with an opportunity to                  external tax law experts; (4) Office of
                                                    the last day of the following February.                 demonstrate special competence in tax                  Chief Counsel review and revision of
                                                    The EA–SEE is not available in March                    matters by passing a written                           the potential questions for legal
                                                    and April, during which period it is                    examination and therefore satisfying                   accuracy; and (5) analysis of the
                                                    updated to reflect changes in the                       one of the requirements for becoming an                answers and raw scores of a testing
                                                    relevant law. When it determined the                    enrolled agent under Circular 230                      population to determine what should be
                                                    current fee, the IRS estimated that                     § 10.4(a). Because the opportunity to                  a passing score.
                                                    individuals would take 34,000 parts of                  take the EA–SEE is a special benefit, IRS                 Further, IRS personnel ensure the
                                                    the EA–SEE each year. That number of                    charges a user fee to take the                         contractor’s compliance with its
                                                    parts has not been reached in any year.                 examination.                                           contract by reviewing the work of the
                                                    In the testing periods beginning in 2012,                  Pursuant to the guidelines in the OMB               contractor using an annual Work
                                                    2013, and 2014, the contractor                          Circular, the IRS has calculated its cost              Breakdown Structure—a project
                                                    administered approximately 18,900,                      of providing examination services under                management tool—and reviewing and
                                                    19,500, and 22,400 parts of the EA–SEE,                 the enrolled agent program. The                        verifying that the contractor is in
                                                    respectively. During the testing period                 proposed user fee will be implemented                  compliance with its Quality Assurance
                                                    beginning May 2016, the IRS estimates                   under the authority of the IOAA and the                Plan regarding customer satisfaction and
                                                    that individuals taking the EA–SEE will                 OMB Circular and will recover the full                 accuracy. The IRS incurs additional
                                                    take 20,000 parts. More information on                  cost of overseeing the program. The                    costs associated with resolution of test-
                                                    the EA–SEE, including content, scoring,                 current user fee is $11 to take each part              related issues such as cheating
                                                    and how to register, can be found on the                of the EA–SEE. The contractor who                      incidents, appeals regarding scores,
                                                    IRS Web site at www.irs.gov/Tax-                        administers the EA–SEE also charges                    refund requests, and customer service
                                                    Professionals/Enrolled-Agents/.                         individuals taking the EA–SEE an                       complaints that have not been resolved
                                                       The Independent Offices                              additional fee for its services. For the               at the contractor level.
                                                    Appropriations Act (IOAA) of 1952,                      May 2015 to February 2016 testing                         Taking into account the full amount
                                                    which is codified at 31 U.S.C. 9701,                    period, the contractor’s fee is $98 for                of these costs, the user fee for the EA–
                                                    authorizes agencies to prescribe                        each part of the EA–SEE.                               SEE is proposed to be increased to $99
                                                    regulations that establish charges for                     Increased costs incurred by the IRS to              per part.
                                                    services they provide. These charges                    implement the EA–SEE program require
                                                                                                            an increase in the EA–SEE user fee.                    Special Analyses
                                                    include user fees. The charges must be
                                                    fair and must be based on the costs to                  These increased costs are primarily                      Certain IRS regulations, including this
                                                    the government, the value of the service                attributable to the following: (1) The                 one, are exempt from the requirements
                                                    to the recipient, the public policy or                  cost for background checks required                    of Executive Order 12866, as
                                                    interest served, and other relevant facts.              under Publication 4812, ‘‘Contractor                   supplemented and reaffirmed by
                                                    The IOAA provides that regulations                      Security Controls,’’ for individuals                   Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a
                                                    implementing user fees are subject to                   working at the contractor’s testing                    regulatory assessment is not required. It
                                                    policies prescribed by the President,                   centers increased by $270,000 per year;                also has been determined that section
                                                    which are currently set forth in the                    (2) the IRS estimates that the contractor              553(b) of the Administrative Procedure
                                                    Office of Management and Budget                         will administer 14,000 fewer parts of the              Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply
                                                    Circular A–25, 58 FR 38142 (July 15,                    EA–SEE per year than the estimated                     to this proposed regulation.
                                                    1993) (the OMB Circular). The OMB                       number used to calculate the $11 fee,                    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility
                                                    Circular encourages user fees for                       and the total costs are therefore being                Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6), it is hereby
                                                    government-provided services that                       recovered from fewer individuals; and                  certified that this proposed regulation, if
                                                    confer benefits on identifiable recipients              (3) the IRS’s costs of verifying the                   adopted, would not have a significant
                                                    over and above those benefits received                  contractor’s compliance with the                       economic impact on a substantial
                                                    by the general public. Under the OMB                    information technology security                        number of small entities because it
                                                    Circular, an agency that seeks to impose                requirements necessary to protect the                  primarily affects individuals who take
                                                    a user fee for government-provided                      personally identifiable information of                 the enrolled agent examination and does
                                                    services must calculate the full cost of                individuals taking the EA–SEE have                     not directly affect small entities.
                                                    providing those services. In general, a                 increased, because Publication 4812 has                Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility
                                                    user fee should be set at an amount that                strengthened those requirements.                       analysis is not required. Pursuant to
                                                    allows the agency to recover the full                      In addition, IRS original estimates of              section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue
                                                    cost of providing the special service,                  the cost to oversee the contract did not               Code, this notice of proposed
                                                    unless the Office of Management and                     cover all the work the IRS now                         rulemaking has been submitted to the
                                                    Budget grants an exception.                             performs. The proposed fee more                        Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
                                                       As discussed above, Circular 230                     accurately accounts for the time and                   Business Administration for comment
                                                    § 10.4(a) provides that IRS will grant                  personnel necessary to oversee the                     on its impact on small business.
                                                    enrolled agent status to an applicant if                development and administration of the
                                                    the applicant, among other things,                      EA–SEE and to ensure the contractor                    Comments and Public Hearing
                                                    demonstrates special competence in tax                  complies with the terms of its contract.                 Before this proposed regulation is
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                                                    matters by written examination. The                     IRS costs for oversight include costs                  adopted as a final regulation,
                                                    EA–SEE is the written examination that                  associated with: (1) Review and                        consideration will be given to any
                                                    tests special competence in tax matters                 approval of materials used by the                      comments that are submitted timely to
                                                    for purposes of that provision, and an                  contractor in developing the EA–SEE;                   the IRS as prescribed in the preamble
                                                    applicant must pass all parts of the EA–                (2) review of surveys of existing                      under the ADDRESSES section. The
                                                    SEE to be granted enrolled agent status                 enrolled agents, which help to                         Treasury Department and the IRS
                                                    through written examination. The IRS                    determine the topics to be covered in                  request comments on all aspects of the
                                                    confers a benefit on individuals who                    the EA–SEE; (3) composition of                         proposed regulation. All comments


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 16 / Tuesday, January 26, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                            4223

                                                    submitted will be made available at                     development and administration of the                  (202) 461–4902 for an appointment.
                                                    www.regulations.gov or upon request.                    examination and does not include any                   (This is not a toll-free number.) In
                                                       A public hearing has been scheduled                  fees charged by the administrator of the               addition, during the comment period,
                                                    for February 25, 2016, beginning at                     examination.                                           comments may be viewed online
                                                    10:00 a.m. in the IRS Auditorium,                       *     *     *    *     *                               through the Federal Docket Management
                                                    Internal Revenue Building, 1111                           (d) Effective/applicability date. This               System (FDMS) at http://
                                                    Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,                    section applies on and after the date of               www.regulations.gov.
                                                    DC. Due to building security                            publication of a Treasury decision                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                    procedures, visitors must enter at the                  adopting this rule as a final regulation               Michael T. Kilmer, Chief Consultant,
                                                    Constitution Avenue entrance. All                       in the Federal Register.                               Care Management and Social Work
                                                    visitors must present photo                                                                                    Services (10P4C), Veterans Health
                                                    identification to enter the building.                   Karen M. Schiller,
                                                                                                                                                                   Administration, Department of Veterans
                                                    Because of access restrictions, visitors                Acting Deputy Commissioner for Services and
                                                                                                                                                                   Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW.,
                                                    will not be admitted beyond the                         Enforcement.
                                                                                                                                                                   Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461–6780.
                                                    immediate entrance area more than 30                    [FR Doc. 2016–01629 Filed 1–25–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                                   (This is not a toll-free number.)
                                                    minutes before the hearing starts. For                  BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
                                                                                                                                                                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VA’s
                                                    information about having your name                                                                             program for providing temporary
                                                    placed on the building access list to                                                                          lodging for certain individuals is
                                                    attend the hearing, see the FOR FURTHER                 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS                                 authorized by section 1708 of title 38,
                                                    INFORMATION CONTACT section of this                     AFFAIRS                                                United States Code (U.S.C.). Under
                                                    preamble.                                                                                                      section 1708, VA ‘‘may furnish [certain]
                                                       The rules of 26 CFR 601.601(a)(3)                    38 CFR Part 60                                         persons . . . with temporary lodging in
                                                    apply to the hearing. Persons who wish
                                                                                                            RIN 2900–AP45                                          a Fisher [H]ouse or other appropriate
                                                    to present oral comments at the hearing
                                                                                                                                                                   facility in connection with the
                                                    must submit written or electronic                       Fisher Houses and Other Temporary                      examination, treatment, or care of a
                                                    comments and an outline of the topics                   Lodging                                                veteran under [chapter 17].’’ This
                                                    to be discussed and the time to be
                                                                                                                                                                   authority to provide temporary lodging
                                                    devoted to each topic by February 24,                   AGENCY:    Department of Veterans Affairs.
                                                                                                                                                                   assists VA in providing appropriate
                                                    2016. A period of 10 minutes will be                    ACTION:   Proposed rule.                               treatment and care to veterans because
                                                    allocated to each person for making
                                                                                                            SUMMARY:    The Department of Veterans                 patients often respond better when they
                                                    comments.
                                                                                                            Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its                     are accompanied by relatives, close
                                                       An agenda showing the scheduling of
                                                                                                            regulations concerning Fisher House                    friends, or caregivers. Thus, providing
                                                    the speakers will be prepared after the
                                                                                                            and other temporary lodging furnished                  temporary lodging is an important
                                                    deadline for receiving outlines has
                                                                                                            by VA while a veteran is experiencing                  element of a veteran’s treatment. VA
                                                    passed. Copies of the agenda will be
                                                                                                            an episode of care at a VA medical                     implemented its authority under section
                                                    available free of charge at the hearing.
                                                                                                            facility. Such lodging is generally                    1708 in 38 CFR part 60. However, the
                                                    Drafting Information                                                                                           current regulation no longer accurately
                                                                                                            furnished to veterans’ relatives, close
                                                       The principal author of this regulation              friends, and caregivers at no cost,                    describes the process by which VA
                                                    is Jonathan R. Black of the Office of the               because VA’s experience has shown that                 approves requests for Fisher House or
                                                    Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure and                  veterans’ treatment outcomes are                       other temporary lodging. This proposed
                                                    Administration).                                        improved by having loved ones nearby.                  rule would amend the regulations to
                                                                                                            The proposed rule updates current                      describe the current process.
                                                    List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 300                                                                               The application process for Fisher
                                                                                                            regulations and better describes the
                                                      Reporting and recordkeeping                                                                                  House or other temporary lodging is
                                                                                                            application process for this lodging. The
                                                    requirements, User fees.                                                                                       described in 38 CFR 60.15. We propose
                                                                                                            proposed rule generally reflects current
                                                                                                                                                                   to amend § 60.15, because the
                                                    Proposed Amendments to the                              VA policy and practice.
                                                                                                                                                                   application process has substantially
                                                    Regulations                                             DATES: Comment Date: Comments must                     changed. Section 60.15(a) currently
                                                      Accordingly, 26 CFR part 300 is                       be received by VA on or before March                   states that VA Form 10–0408A is ‘‘the
                                                    proposed to be amended as follows:                      28, 2016.                                              application for Fisher House and other
                                                                                                            ADDRESSES: Written comments may be                     temporary lodging.’’ That section also
                                                    PART 300—USER FEES                                      submitted by email through http://                     gives instructions for obtaining and
                                                                                                            www.regulations.gov; by mail or hand-                  filing the specified form. Although we
                                                    ■ Paragraph 1. The authority citation                   delivery to Director, Regulation Policy                will continue to accept applications
                                                    for part 300 continues to read as                       and Management (02REG), Department                     submitted on Form 10–0408A until this
                                                    follows:                                                of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont                       proposed regulation takes effect, VA has
                                                        Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701.                          Avenue NW., Room 1068, Washington,                     discontinued the use of this form in
                                                    ■ Par. 2. Section 300.4 is amended by                   DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 273–9026.                 favor of a process that requires the
                                                    revising paragraphs (b) and (d) to read                 Comments should indicate that they are                 requester to contact specified personnel
                                                                                                            submitted in response to ‘‘RIN 2900–                   directly for capture in the requester’s
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    as follows:
                                                                                                            AP45, Fisher Houses and Other                          electronic health record of all
                                                    § 300.4 Enrolled agent special enrollment               Temporary Lodging.’’ Copies of                         information that would have been
                                                    examination fee.                                        comments received will be available for                included on the form.
                                                    *     *     *    *      *                               public inspection in the Office of                        This process has already improved
                                                      (b) Fee. The fee for taking the enrolled              Regulation Policy and Management,                      the efficiency of evaluating requests for
                                                    agent special enrollment examination is                 Room 1068, between the hours of 8:00                   Fisher House and other temporary
                                                    $99 per part, which is the cost to the                  a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through                     housing for several reasons. VA
                                                    government for overseeing the                           Friday (except holidays). Please call                  facilities cannot practicably store paper


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Document Created: 2018-02-02 12:38:32
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 12:38:32
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public hearing.
DatesWritten or electronic comments must be received by February 24, 2016. Requests to speak and outlines of topics to be discussed at the public hearing scheduled for February 25, 2016, must be received by February 24, 2016.
ContactConcerning this proposed regulation, Jonathan R. Black, (202) 317-6845; concerning submissions of comments and/or requests for a hearing, Regina Johnson (202) 317-6901 (not toll- free numbers).
FR Citation81 FR 4221 
RIN Number1545-BN09

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