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CFR Citation: 26 CFR Part 1

RIN ID: RIN 1545-BF05

REG ID: [REG-146895-05]

NOTICE: PROPOSED RULES

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking by cross-reference to temporary regulations and notice of public hearing.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Election to Expense Certain Refineries

DATES: Written or electronic comments must be received by September 8, 2008. Outlines of the topics to be discussed at the public hearing scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2008, at 10 a.m. must be received by Tuesday, October 14, 2008.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: In the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register, the IRS is issuing temporary regulations relating to the election to expense qualified refinery property under section 179C of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) and affects taxpayers who own refineries located in the United States. The temporary regulations reflect changes to the law by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The text of those regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations. This document also provides notice of a public hearing.

SUMMARY: Election to Expense Certain Refineries,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The collections of information contained in this notice of proposed rulemaking have been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)). Comments on the collections of information should be sent to the Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for the Department of the Treasury, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503, with copies to the Internal Revenue Service, Attn: IRS Reports Clearance Officer, SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, Washington, DC 20224. Comments on the collection of information should be received by September 8, 2008. Comments are specifically requested concerning:

Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Internal Revenue Service, including whether the information will have practical utility;

The accuracy of the estimated burden associated with the proposed collection of information;

How the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected may be enhanced;

How the burden of complying with the proposed collections of information may be minimized, including through the application of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and

Estimates of capital or startup costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of service to provide information.

The collection of information in this proposed regulation is in Sec. 1.179C1T(d)(2), Sec. 1.179C1T(d)(3), Sec. 1.179C1T(e)(2), and Sec. 1.179C1T(f). The collections of information in Sec. 1.179C 1T(d)(2) and Sec. 1.179C1T(f) are required in order for a taxpayer to make and support an election under section 179C(a) to expense 50 percent of the cost of qualified refinery property. The collection of information in Sec. 1.179C1T(d)(3) is required in order for the taxpayer to revoke an election under section 179C(a). The collection of information in Sec. 1.179C1T(e)(2) is required in order for a taxpayer that is an organization described in section 1381 that has made an election under section 179C(a) to allocate all or a portion of this expense to its owners that are organizations described in section 1381. The collection of information is mandatory. The likely recordkeepers are owners of certain existing refineries.

Estimated total annual recordkeeping burden: 120 hours.

The estimated annual burden per recordkeeper varies depending on individual circumstances, with an estimated average of 10 hours.

Estimated number of recordkeepers: 12.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid control number assigned by the Office of Management and Budget.

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. Background and Explanation of Provision

The temporary regulations in the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register amend the Income Tax Regulations (26 CFR part 1) relating to section 179C. The temporary regulations define ``qualified refinery property'' and assist the taxpayer in identifying those costs that may be expensed pursuant to this provision. The text of those regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations. The preamble to the temporary regulations explains the amendments.

Special Analyses

It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. The collections of information in Sec. 1.1791T (d)(2), (e)(2) and (f) are required by section 179C(b), (g) and (h), respectively, and, therefore, are not imposed by these regulations. Accordingly, they are not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Only the collection of information in Sec. 1.1791T(d)(3), regarding the revocation of an election under section 179C(a), is imposed by these regulations. It is hereby certified that the collection of information contained in Sec. 1.1791T(d)(3) of the regulations will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This certification is based upon the fact that although most of the 12 taxpayers who potentially could or would make an election under section 179C(a) will be small entities, it is expected that few, if any, of those 12 taxpayers once having made the election will choose to revoke it. Therefore, the collection of information will not affect a substantial number of small entities. The information required to revoke an election under section 179C(a) consists entirely of a portion of the information required to make the election. Consequently, the economic burden for those taxpayers who choose to revoke the election is minimal in nature and the regulations do not impose any burden in addition to the burden associated with making the election. Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) is not required. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, this regulation has been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small business.

Comments and Requests for a Public Hearing

Before the proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration will be given to any written comments (a signed original and eight (8) copies) or electronic comments that are submitted timely to the IRS. The IRS and Treasury Department specifically request comments on the clarity of the proposed rule and how it may be made easier to understand. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying.

A public hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2008, beginning at 10 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. In addition, all visitors must present photo identification to enter the building. Because of access restrictions, visitors will not be admitted beyond the Constitution Avenue entrance area more than 30 minutes before the hearing starts. For information about having your name placed on the building
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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 comments or electronic comments by October 7, 2008 and an outline of the topics to be discussed and the time to be devoted to each topic (signed original and eight (8) copies) by Tuesday, October 14, 2008. A period of 10 minutes will be allotted 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 these regulations is Philip Tiegerman of the Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries). However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury Department participated in their development.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1

Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Proposed Amendments to the Regulations

Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 1INCOME TAXES

Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is amended by adding an entry in numerical order to read as follows:

Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *

Section 1.179C also issued under 26 U.S.C. 179C. * * *

Par. 2. Section 1.179C1 is added to read as follows: Sec. 1.179C1 Election to expense certain refineries.
[The text of proposed Sec. 1.79C1 is the same as the text of Sec. 1.179C1T (a) through (g) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register].
Linda E. Stiff,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 081424 Filed 7308; 3:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 483001P

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Concerning the proposed regulations, Philip Tiegerman at (202) 6223110; concerning submissions of comments, hearing, and/or to be placed on the building access list to attend the hearing, Oluwafunmilayo Taylor at (202) 6227180 (not tollfree numbers).