Commerce Bureau's BE-15 Survey Tracks Foreign Cash Flowing into US Businesses
Published Date: 3/16/2026
Notice
Summary
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!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory BE-15 Annual Reporting
If your U.S. business is more than 50 percent owned (directly or indirectly) by a foreign person, you must complete the BE-15 survey each year covering the fiscal year ending in the previous calendar year and file it by May 31. BEA will mail notices to entities required to respond and the specific BE-15 form type depends on size thresholds for assets, sales or revenues, and net income.
Estimated Paperwork Burden
BEA estimates the public reporting burden for the BE-15 is an average of 23.5 hours per response under OMB control number 0608-0034. This is the time BEA expects responders to spend preparing and filing each survey.
No Obligation If Not Contacted
BEA will individually contact entities required to report; if BEA does not contact your entity, then your entity has no BE-15 reporting responsibilities.
How and Where to File
Reports can be filed electronically using BEA's e-file system at www.bea.gov/efile; BE-15 forms and instructions are available at www.bea.gov/fdi, and BEA provides phone and email contacts for inquiries.
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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.
2026-05076 — 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!
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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!
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