Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program Between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program Between the

Department of Veterans Affairs and the Internal Revenue Service,

Department of the Treasury

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of computer matching program.

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Notice is hereby given that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) propose to conduct a computer

matching program. The purpose of the program is to locate taxpayers who

owe delinquent debts to the Federal Government as a result of their

participation in benefit programs (including health care) administered

by VA. Once located, VA will pursue collection of debts through

voluntary payments. If such payments are not forthcoming, VA may seek

involuntary collection under the provisions of the Debt Collection Act

of 1982.

The legal authority for undertaking this matching program is

contained in the Internal Revenue Code at 26 U.S.C. 6103(m)(2)(A). VA

and IRS have concluded an agreement to conduct the matching program

pursuant to provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C.

552a(o)). IRS will act as recipient (i.e., matching) agency. VA will

provide a tape extract to IRS that contains the Name Control (the first

four characters of the surname) and social security number (SSN) of

each record subject. IRS will compare the tape extract against its

database of taxpayers who have filed Federal Individual Income Tax

Returns, establishing ``hits'' (i.e., individuals common to both tapes)

on the basis of matched SSN's and Name Controls. For each hit, IRS will

disclose to VA the following information: Name Control, SSN, and latest

street address, P.O. Box or other address furnished by the taxpayer.

Records to be Matched: The systems of records maintained by the

respective agencies from which records will be disclosed for the

purpose of this computer match are as follows:

IRS: Individual Master File (IMF), Treasury/IRS 24.030, containing

millions of records of taxpayers who have filed Federal Individual

Income Tax Returns. A full description of the system of records was

last published at 60 FR 56787 (November 9, 1995).

VA: Accounts Receivable Records--VA (88VA20A6) containing records

of approximately 350,000 debtors. Disclosure will be made under routine

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use No. 18 of that system, a full description of which was last

published in 61 FR 60148 on November 26, 1996.

The matching program is expected to begin on or about October 22,

1997, and continue in effect for 18 months. The agreement governing the

matching program and, thus, the matching program, may be extended an

additional 12 months with the respective approval of VA's and the

Department of the Treasury's Data Integrity Boards. Such extension must

occur within three months prior to expiration of the 18-month period

set forth above and under the terms set forth in 5 U.S.C.

552a(o)(2)(D).

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments,

suggestions, or objections regarding the proposal to conduct the

matching program to the Director, Office of Regulations Management

(02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Room

1154, Washington, DC 20420. All relevant material received before

October 22, 1997, will be considered. All written comments received

will be available for public inspection in the Office of Regulations

Management, Room 1158, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420,

between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Fridays, except holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Gottsacker, Debt Management

Center (389/00A), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bishop Henry Whipple

Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Ft. Snelling, Minnesota 55111, (612)

725-1844.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information is required by the Privacy

Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(12)). A copy of this notice

has been provided to both Houses of Congress and OMB.

Approved: September 8, 1997.

Hershel W. Gober,

Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

[FR Doc. 97-25048 Filed 9-19-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8320-01-M