Census Wants to Swap Business Secrets for Better Econ Stats?
Published Date: 9/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The Census Bureau wants to share some business data with the Bureau of Economic Analysis to help improve economic reports. This change affects businesses whose data is collected and aims to make government info more useful without extra costs. People have until November 23, 2026, to share their thoughts on this plan.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory response remains required for listed surveys
Response to the listed surveys is mandatory under 13 U.S.C. 224 and 225. Businesses required to respond to the Economic Census and the other listed surveys remain legally obligated to provide the requested information.
Data sharing aims to reduce duplicative burden
The Census Bureau and BEA state they will identify opportunities to eliminate duplicative collections, reduce reporting burdens, and reduce statistical program costs while improving data quality, consistent with 44 U.S.C. 3576(b). The notice says sharing existing data can achieve efficiencies and improvements without additional burden to respondents.
Census will share company-level business data
The Census Bureau plans to provide BEA with select company-level data from specific surveys, including the Economic Census, Commodity Flow Survey, Quarterly Financial Report, Annual Integrated Economic Survey, Business and Professional Classification Survey, and the Annual Business Survey (including historical Business Enterprise and Research Development survey data). BEA will use the data exclusively for authorized statistical purposes to improve national, regional, industry, and international economic statistics.
Federal tax information will not be shared
The Census Bureau states it will not provide any Federal Tax Information to BEA as part of this data-sharing activity. Company-level Census data will be shared, but federal tax return information is excluded.
Strong confidentiality rules and penalties apply
BEA employees granted access to Census confidential data must obtain Census Bureau Sworn Special Status, complete annual compliance training, and are subject to penalties for improper disclosure of up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, or both under 13 U.S.C. 214. The shared data will be used only for statistical purposes.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18481, Decennial Census of the Population of Americans; Proposed Residence Criteria and Proposed Regulations for Demographic Questions
The Census Bureau is proposing to add two new parts to the Code of Federal Regulations governing the decennial census of population and housing. First, the Census Bureau is proposing to add a part outlining the residence criteria used for identifying each person's "usual residence," as needed to determine whether and where to count them in the census of the population throughout the United States. Second, the Census Bureau is proposing to add a part establishing standards and restrictions for the inclusion of certain demographic questions on the decennial census short-form questionnaire and any other questionnaire used for the enumeration of the population. The Census Bureau is considering these two additions to better prioritize and fulfill its Constitutional mandate to count for apportionment the "whole number of persons in each State" based on the concept of "usual residence"--a process that factors in an element of allegiance but otherwise should be colorblind and should not be distorted in any way by questions about immaterial personal characteristics, such as race. Although these two parts are somewhat related and complementary, each is being proposed independently based on its own merits. These proposals are intended to ensure fidelity to the Constitution, improve and protect the core decennial census data, and promote efficiency.
2026-18304, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Business Trends and Outlook Survey
2026-18176, Current Mandatory Business Surveys
The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) will conduct the following current three mandatory business surveys in 2026: (1) Annual Integrated Economic Survey; (2) Annual Business Survey; and (3) Business and Professional Classification Report. We have determined that data collected from these surveys are needed to aid the efficient performance of essential governmental functions and have significant application to the needs of the public and industry. The data derived from these surveys, most of which have been conducted for many years, are not publicly available from nongovernmental or other governmental sources.
2026-14554, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for Internet Panel Pretesting and Qualitative Survey Methods Testing
The Census Bureau wants to keep testing online surveys and internet panels to make sure their questions work well and don’t waste your time. They’re asking for your thoughts by September 18, 2026, before getting final approval. This helps keep surveys smart, quick, and less annoying for everyone involved, with no extra cost or big time changes.
2026-14513, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories and Orders (M3) Survey
The Census Bureau wants to keep collecting monthly info from U.S. manufacturers about their shipments, inventories, and orders through the M3 survey. They’re asking the public to share thoughts by September 18, 2026, before they get final approval. This helps keep the data flowing without adding extra hassle or cost to businesses.
2026-14512, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions
The Census Bureau wants to keep running its Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions for three more years and is asking the public to share their thoughts by September 18, 2026. This survey helps track new home building and sales, affecting builders, buyers, and policymakers. No big changes or costs are planned, just a smooth continuation to keep housing data fresh and useful.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-19300, Regulatory Guides: Design-Basis Floods for Nuclear Power Plants and Guidance for Assessment of Flooding Hazards Due to Water Control Structure Failures and Incidents
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission just released two updated guides to help new nuclear power plants plan for floods and assess risks from dam or levee failures. These guides make sure plants are safer by using the best methods to handle flooding hazards. The new rules start on September 22, 2026, and mainly affect companies building or planning nuclear plants, helping them avoid costly flood damage.
Next: 2026-19302, Center for Scientific Review; Amended Notice of Meeting
The NIH’s Center for Scientific Review changed a meeting about community health from two days to just one day on October 21, 2026, keeping the same 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule. This affects researchers and staff involved in the review group, but the meeting remains closed to the public with no changes to funding or deadlines. It’s a quick update to keep things running smoothly!