Uncle Sam Surveys Foreign Billions Pouring into U.S. Businesses
Published Date: 9/10/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Commerce is updating its annual survey that asks foreign-owned U.S. businesses about their finances and operations. Around 6,400 companies will spend about 23.5 hours each filling out forms, helping the government track foreign investment’s impact on the U.S. economy. They’re asking for public feedback for 30 more days before finalizing these changes, so now’s the time to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory BE-15 Reporting Burden
If your business is foreign‑owned and operates in the U.S., you may be required to file the BE-15 survey annually. About 6,400 companies must respond each year, spending an average of 23.5 hours each (total burden 150,700 hours). The forms breakdown is ~3,200 A forms (44.45 hours each), ~1,600 B forms (3.6 hours each), ~1,000 C forms (2.1 hours each), and ~600 Claim for Exemption forms (1 hour each). The survey is mandatory under the cited legal authority.
Detailed Financial and State Data Collection
The BE-15 collects detailed financial and operating data from foreign‑owned U.S. businesses, including balance sheets, income statements, property, plant, and equipment (PP&E), employment and employee compensation, merchandise trade, sales, taxes, and research and development. Several items (for example, employment and PP&E) are also collected by state.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-06039 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Direct Investment Surveys: BE-13, Survey of New Foreign Direct Investment in the United States
The government is asking businesses with new foreign investments in the U.S. to keep filling out the BE-13 survey, which helps track how much foreign money is coming into the country. About 3,400 companies will respond yearly, spending around 36 minutes each. This survey stays mandatory, with no changes, and helps understand the impact of foreign investments on the U.S. economy.
2026-06040 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Direct Investment Surveys: BE-605, Quarterly Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States-Transactions of U.S. Affiliate With Foreign Parent
The Department of Commerce is updating a quarterly survey that asks U.S. companies owned by foreign parents about their business deals. About 2,100 companies respond each quarter, spending around an hour each time. This update helps keep important economic data accurate without adding extra hassle, and the public has 30 more days to share their thoughts.
2026-05083 — BE-15: Annual Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States
The BE-15 survey asks U.S. businesses mostly owned by foreign investors to share info about their money and activities. This helps the government understand how foreign investments affect the U.S. economy. If your company qualifies, you’ll get a notice and must report by May 31 each year—no skipping it!
2026-05076 — BE-9: Quarterly Survey of Foreign Airline Operators' Revenues and Expenses in the United States
If you work for a foreign airline with offices in the U.S., you’ll need to fill out a quarterly survey about your money coming in and going out here. This helps the government understand how foreign airlines impact the U.S. economy and trade. You’ll have 30 days after each quarter to send in your report, so get ready to share your numbers on time!
2026-05087 — BE-185: Quarterly Survey of Financial Services Transactions Between U.S. Financial Services Providers and Foreign Persons
The BE-185 survey asks U.S. financial companies to share info about their money deals with people in other countries. This helps the government understand how U.S. financial services trade affects the economy. Companies must file their reports every quarter, with a bit more time for the year-end report, so everyone stays on track and the data stays fresh.
2026-05082 — BE-125: Quarterly Survey of Transactions in Selected Services and Intellectual Property With Foreign Persons
The BE-125 survey asks U.S. businesses to report their trade in certain services and intellectual property with foreign folks every quarter. This helps the government understand how U.S. trade affects the economy at home and abroad. If you’re a U.S. person involved in these trades, expect to file your report within 30 days after each quarter, or 45 days after your fiscal year ends—it's mandatory and important!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-17408 — Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage, Inc.; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Appalachian Reliability Project
Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage wants to build new gas facilities in parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio to improve energy reliability. The government is asking people to share their thoughts on how this might affect the environment before making a final decision. If you care about local nature or community changes, now’s the time to speak up—comments are due by October 6, 2025.
Next: 2025-17410 — Nueva Era Dos, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Nueva Era Dos Pipeline Project
Nueva Era Dos, LLC wants to build a new pipeline in Maverick County, Texas, and the government is asking the public to share their thoughts on how it might affect the environment. People have until October 6, 2025, to send in comments about possible impacts and better alternatives. This feedback will help decide if the project moves forward and how it might change the area.
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in