BEA's BE-125 Demands Quarterly Intel on US Service Deals Abroad
Published Date: 3/16/2026
Notice
Summary
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!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory Quarterly BE-125 Reporting
If your U.S. business had combined reportable sales of services or intellectual property to foreign persons that exceeded $6,000,000 in the previous fiscal year (or are expected to exceed $6,000,000 in the current fiscal year), or combined reportable purchases from foreign persons that exceeded $4,000,000 in the previous fiscal year (or are expected to exceed $4,000,000 in the current fiscal year), you must complete the mandatory BE-125 survey. BEA will contact U.S. persons required to report; if BEA does not contact you, you have no BE-125 reporting responsibility.
Quarterly Filing Deadlines (30 and 45 Days)
Reports must be filed within 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, except for the final quarter of the entity's fiscal year when reports must be filed within 45 days. These deadlines apply to every BE-125 filing cycle for entities that are required to report.
Estimated 21‑Hour Response Burden
The Office of Management and Budget approved an average public reporting burden of 21 hours per BE-125 response (OMB control number 0608-0067). That estimate is presented as the average time to complete each required filing.
Multiple Submission Options Provided
You can submit BE-125 reports electronically at www.bea.gov/efile, or download the form and submit by mail or fax to BEA. BEA will mail specific reporting notices to those U.S. persons required to complete the survey.
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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.
2026-05081 — BE-37: Quarterly Survey of U.S. Airline Operators' Foreign Revenues and Expenses
U.S. airlines that fly passengers or cargo internationally must fill out a quarterly survey about their foreign earnings and expenses. This helps the government understand how U.S. airlines impact trade and the economy worldwide. Airlines have 30 days after each quarter to submit their reports, making it a quick but important task with no direct cost but big economic value.
2026-05074 — BE-577: Quarterly Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad-Transactions of U.S. Reporter With Foreign Affiliate
If your U.S. business owns or controls a foreign company, you’ll need to fill out the BE-577 survey every quarter. This survey helps the government track how much money U.S. companies invest abroad and how it affects the economy. You’ll have 30 days after each quarter to report, or 45 days if it’s the year’s final quarter—so keep an eye on those deadlines!
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!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-05081 — BE-37: Quarterly Survey of U.S. Airline Operators' Foreign Revenues and Expenses
U.S. airlines that fly passengers or cargo internationally must fill out a quarterly survey about their foreign earnings and expenses. This helps the government understand how U.S. airlines impact trade and the economy worldwide. Airlines have 30 days after each quarter to submit their reports, making it a quick but important task with no direct cost but big economic value.
Next: 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!
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