Is it acceptable to file using a photocopied version of the BE-15 form?
Yes. A photocopy, or a copy printed from this Web site, is acceptable; however, the CERTIFICATION section of the report must contain an original signature.
BEA Survey Questions
When foreign individuals become legal residents of the United States but remain citizens of their home country, are they still required to file for their ownership of U.S. assets?
No, foreign individuals who become legal residents of the United States are not required to file BEA forms for their ownership of U.S. assets, including ownership of real property.
Do U.S. citizens who reside outside the United States have to file for their ownership of U.S. assets, including real property?
Yes, U.S. citizens who reside, or expect to reside, outside the United States for more than one year, are required to file BEA forms for their ownership of U.S. assets, including business enterprises, trusts, estates and real property.
Can a U.S. affiliate use eFile for their initial report?
No, a U.S. affiliate must submit their initial report by either mail or facsimile. First-time filers can download a copy of the BE-605 at www.bea.gov/surveys/fdiusurv.
How does a U.S. affiliate receive their foreign direct investment BEA identification number?
The BEA foreign direct investment identification number is assigned to a new U.S. affiliate after their initial report has been accepted by the BEA. Filed by mail or facsimile, initial reports are due within 30 days of the end of the quarter in which the U.S. entity became foreign owned.
If the U.S. affiliate, as consolidated, is below the exemption threshold does it need to file a BE-15 or BE-605 form?
Yes, all U.S. entities contacted by BEA must file. If you were contacted about filing the BE-15 and the BE-605, then a Claim for Exemption should be filed for both surveys. Note: First-time filers should file the BE-13 within 45 days of when their voting stock becomes more than 10 percent held by a foreign person or entity.
When can a U.S. affiliate use eFile to fulfill their filing obligation?
Once assigned a BEA foreign direct investment identification number; a U.S. affiliate can request a password at https://www.bea.gov/efile/password/password_request.cfm. eFile is not available for a U.S. affiliate’s initial filing. First-time filers should file the BE-605 via mail or facsimile for the quarter in which they became foreign held by 10% or more (if exempt, complete pages 1 through 3, page 13 and 15).
If a U.S. affiliate needs to report for a prior period, should they file the version of the BE-605 form for that quarter or the most current version of the form?
Please complete the latest version of the BE-605 form, available at www.bea.gov/surveys/fdiusurv.
The U.S. affiliate has more than one foreign parent. Must I file a separate BE-605 form to report transactions or accounts with each foreign parent?
Yes. If two or more foreign entities hold a reportable interest in a U.S. affiliate, a separate Form BE-605 should be filed to report the transactions or accounts with each foreign parent.
Our foreign parent has a different (percentage of) equity ownership than voting ownership. Which do we use to file the report?
Voting ownership is used to determine who has control of the U.S. affiliate and, therefore, who must file. However, use the equity percentage of ownership to report the amounts for Parts III, IV, and VI of the BE-605 form.