May 19, 2015

Gaining a detailed picture of the role the United States plays in the global market place is made easier by the wealth of international investment statistics produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  So it’s critically important that we get the most accurate information possible from businesses, private funds, and others who fill out our BEA surveys.

To that end, BEA recently released some guidance on when private funds may need to fill out a BE-10 survey, which collects information on U.S. direct investment abroad.  The guidance is in the form of several Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

The new FAQs answer questions such as:

  • How do I contact BEA if I have specific questions about how to report my U.S. and foreign-based entities (private funds, operating companies, etc.) on the 2014 BE-10 survey?
  • Are the data reported on the BE-10 survey kept confidential?
  • Does the 2014 BE-10 reporting overlap with the Treasury International Capital (TIC) reporting for private funds?
  • How do I complete a survey for a foreign affiliate entity if it is a private fund versus an operating company? The 2014 BE-10 survey forms may have numerous questions which do not appear to apply to my domestic and foreign funds/entities. How do I proceed?
  • How do I determine which U.S.-based private fund entity or manager would be the U.S.  Reporter that is required to complete the 2014 BE-10A Report for U.S.  Reporter?
  • If it is determined that a private fund must complete the 2014 BE-10 survey, which forms are required?
  • My company/client is a private fund that has foreign investment. Am I required to submit the 2014 Benchmark Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad (BE-10)?

Other resources for assisting the filing of the 2014 BE-10 survey can be found here.