When reporting data by country on the BE-125, can regions be used instead?
No. We collect data by country, not by region.
BEA Survey Questions
Should I net payments against receipts on the BE-125?
No. Please report on a gross value basis. Receipts are reported on Schedule A and payments are reported on Schedule B of the BE-125, except for transaction codes 13, 16, and 23 whose sales are reported on Schedule C. Purchases of these services are reportable on Schedule B.
Should I report on an accrual basis or cash basis on the BE-125?
All transactions should be reported on an accrual basis except telecommunication services which should be recorded on a settlement basis.
Are the purchases or sales of goods reported on the BE-125?
Goods should generally not be reported on the BE-125. However, the value of goods in connection with construction sales to foreign persons are reportable on schedule C, and merchanting services, transaction code 22, are equal to the difference between your cost and the resale price of goods that are both purchased and resold abroad.
Are licensing of rights to intellectual property or purchases of intellectual property reported on the BE-125?
Yes. Intangible assets are covered by transaction codes 1-8 with the definition of each in part V of the General Instructions.
We provide services to a U.S. affiliate of a German company. Is this transaction applicable to the BE-125?
No. Your transaction is with a U.S. affiliate of that German company. This would be considered a domestic transaction and therefore not reported on the BE-125.
We purchased services from a German company, but we sent the payments to a Swiss bank. How should we report this transaction on the BE-125?
Because your transaction was with a German entity, you should report this as a transaction with Germany. Where the money actually is transmitted does not affect the geographic attribution of the transaction.
Do I need to submit a hard copy of the BE-125 form if I submit the form by fax or efile?
No. A single submission, whether by mail, fax, or efile, is sufficient.
How can I obtain a MS Excel (.xls format) version of the BE-125?
You can obtain a MS Excel version of the BE-125 by sending an email to be-125@bea.gov. This is an automated system, and will automatically send you an .xls version (this version does not include instructions).
Can I email my completed BE-125 survey?
We discourage reporters from sending their completed surveys via email because of concerns about confidentiality. Your email is not necessarily secure against interception by a third party. However, you can submit data securely using our efile system at www.bea.gov/efile.