Answer

Collection of data under the paperwork reduction act

Introduction

            The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) was designed and enforced to reduce excessive paperwork burden on private businesses and citizens by the government imposed on them by government agencies and departments. This act involves the federal agencies to acquire approval from the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) before collecting information from the general public. The collection of information is through the use of forms, websites, survey or electronic submission (Agency information collection activities, 2019).

Explain what would be the consequence if the form did not contain the OMB number

The paperwork reduction act mandates that approval of OMB control number is used by federal agencies before partaking any form for information collection from the public. The acquisition of the OMB number ensures procedural requirements are met. This assist the relevant government agency to determine the specific objective and develop a plan for use. These procedural requirements ensure the forms include specific items such as to explain to the public the purpose of this data collection estimating the paperwork burden and voluntary response (Agency information collection activities, 2019). This act would also allow the agency publish notice of a requirement in the federal register and allow at least 60 days for public requirements. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless a current valid OMB number is displayed in a form the public is not required to provide information requested in a form. In addition, if a form does not contain a valid and current OMB number, no member of the public should be penalized for failing to comply with gathering of information and data (Agency information collection activities, 2019).

Can you please tell me how you got that control number?

            Government agencies receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget in the form of an OMB control number according to the paperwork reduction act for collection of data. The OMB control number and the expiration date is the date due to be updated has to be displayed on the form. The OMB number is obtained from the Office of Management and Budget (Agency information collection activities, 2019).