Submission for OMB Review: Comment Request

The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted the following public information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain , or contact Ira Mills on 202-693-4122 (this is not a toll-free number) or e-mail: Mills.Ira@dol.gov.

Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, 202-395-7316 (this is not a toll free number), within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal Register.

The OMB is particularly interested in comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Agency: Employment and Training Administration.

Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Title: Preliminary Estimate of Average Employer Tax Rates.

OMB Number: 1205-0228.

Frequency: Annually.

Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal government.

Type of Response: Reporting.

Number of Respondents: 53.

Annual Responses: 53.

Average Response time: 15 minutes.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 14.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.

Total Annual Costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: The Secretary has interpreted applicable sections of Federal law to require States to address the prevention, detection, and recovery of benefit overpayments caused by willful misrepresentation or errors by claimants or others. This report provides an accounting of the types and amounts of such overpayments and serves as a useful management tool for monitoring overall integrity in the Unemployment Insurance system.