Direct Investment Surveys: BE-15, Annual Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States

This final rule amends regulations that set forth reporting requirements for the BE-15, Annual Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States. The annual survey is comprised of four forms--the BE-15(LF) long form, the BE-15(SF) short form, the BE-15(EZ) form, which is a new form, and the BE-15 Supplement C-Claim for Exemption From Filing a BE-15(LF), BE-15(SF), or BE-15(EZ). The annual survey is a sample survey that collects data on the financial structure and operations of nonbank U.S. affiliates of foreign companies needed to update similar data for the universe of U.S. affiliates collected once every 5 years in the BE-12 benchmark survey. The data are used to derive annual estimates of the operations of U.S. affiliates of foreign companies, including their balance sheets; income statements; property, plant, and equipment; external financing; employment and employee compensation; merchandise trade; sales of goods and services; taxes; and research and development activity. The data are needed to measure the size and economic significance of foreign direct investment in the United States, to measure changes in such investment, and to assess its impact on the U.S. economy.