SECTION 5. REQUEST FOR

COMMENTS

.01 The Treasury Department and the Service request comments from the public on the issues addressed in this notice and on additional issues that should be addressed in regulations or other guidance as a result of the recent amendments to section 7122.

.02 Comments are requested regarding the definition of low-income for purposes of section 7122(c)(2)(C). For purposes of this interim guidance, Section 4.02 of this notice defines low-income in a manner consistent with Treas. Reg. § 300.3(b)(1)(ii) regarding user fees for processing offers to compromise. However, the Treasury Department and the Service recognize that commentators have previously raised concerns regarding the definition of low-income in the context of the user fee regulations. Treasury and the Service are considering modifications to the definition of low-income for purposes of the user fee charged for processing an offer in compromise. Treasury and the Service anticipate that any modification to the definition of low-income for purposes of the user fee will be reflected in subsequent guidance issued under new section 7122(c)(2)(C). .03 Comments should be submitted in writing on or before October 9, 2006, to the Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, D.C. 20044, Attn: CC:PA:CBS (Notice 2006–68). Submissions may also be hand-delivered Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to the Courier’s Desk at 950 L’Enfant Plaza, 5 ^th Floor, Washington, DC 20024, by contacting the Legal Processing Division at (202) 874–9752. Submissions may also be sent electronically via the internet to the following email address: Notice.comments@irscounsel.treas.gov .

expiration of the 24-month period. The date of submission of an offer for purposes of section 7122(f) is the date on which the offer is received by the Service. The postmark date is irrelevant in determining when an offer is submitted. An offer will not be deemed to be accepted if the offer is, within the 24-month period, rejected by the Service, returned by the Service to the taxpayer as nonprocessable or no longer processable, withdrawn by the taxpayer, or deemed withdrawn under section 7122(c)(1)(B)(ii) because of the taxpayer’s failure to make the second or later installment due on a periodic payment offer. The date an offer is rejected for purposes of section 7122(f) is the date on which the Service issues a written notice of rejection under Treas. Reg. § 301.7122–1(f)(1). The period during which the IRS Office of Appeals considers a rejected offer in compromise is not included as part of the 24-month period because the offer was rejected by the Service within the meaning of section 7122(f) prior to consideration of the offer by the Office of Appeals.