March 8 -- The Census Bureau invites public comments by May 7, 2021 regarding the proposed renewal of the Business and Professional Classification Report through 2024.
The Census Bureau conducts the Business and Professional Classification Report to collect information from new businesses to obtain proper industry classification for use in economic surveys and the Economic Census. The survey, conducted quarterly, samples businesses with newly assigned Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Businesses can only be selected once for the survey. The survey collects data about a business in such areas as: Primary business activity, company structure, size, and business operations. This information is used to update the sampling frame for current business surveys, which ensures high quality economic estimates. Additionally, by ensuring proper industry classification, this survey reduces burden for the businesses in the five-year Economic Census, as the questions in the census are tailored to the industry in which the business operates.
Respondents will choose the economic sector of their business and then select from a list of business activities. If the respondent does not see their business activity listed, then they will provide a brief description of their business activity. This is the same methodology that the Census Bureau uses in the Economic Census to assign industry classification.
Minimal changes will be made to the wording and organization of existing questions and instructions.
Business and Professional Classification Report website:
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/sq-class.html
Draft survey instrument:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4rgw63e22kxf2i4/draft%20BPC%20screens%2003-21.pdf?dl=0
2018 technical documentation (2021 will be posted when available):
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewDocument?ref_nbr=201808-0607-001
FR notice inviting public comments:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/03/08/2021-04668/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-to-the-office-of-management-and-budget-omb-for
Point of contact: Scott P. Handmaker, Branch Chief, Classification Processing Branch, Economic Statistical Methods Division, U.S. Census Bureau 301-763-7107 Scott.P.Handmaker@census.gov
