BEA Survey Questions | U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

Should I net payments against receipts on the BE-25?

Read more about Should I net payments against receipts on the BE-25?

No. Please report on a gross value basis. Receipts are reported on Schedule A and payments are reported on Schedule B of the BE-25 form.

View and print all FAQs related to the BE-25 survey (PDF)

Should I report on an accrual basis or cash basis on the BE-25?

Read more about Should I report on an accrual basis or cash basis on the BE-25?

All transactions should be reported on an accrual basis, except telecommunication services which are recorded on a settlement basis.

View and print all FAQs related to the BE-25 survey (PDF)

Are the purchases or sales of tangible goods reported on the BE-25?

Read more about Are the purchases or sales of tangible goods reported on the BE-25?

Goods should not be reported on the BE-25. The BE-25 covers transactions in services and intangible assets only.

View and print all FAQs related to the BE-25 survey (PDF)

Does licensing the rights to intellectual property go on the BE-25?

Read more about Does licensing the rights to intellectual property go on the BE-25?

Yes, royalties and license fees should be reported on BE-25. Question 11, page 4 lists the royalties and license fees transactions that are covered by the survey. Detailed descriptions of these transactions are on page v of the General Instructions.

View and print all FAQs related to the BE-25 survey (PDF)

We provide services to a U.S. affiliate of a German company. Is this transaction applicable to the BE-25?

Read more about We provide services to a U.S. affiliate of a German company. Is this transaction applicable to the BE-25?

No. Your transaction is with a U.S. affiliate of that German company. This would be considered a domestic transaction and therefore not applicable to the BE-25.

View and print all FAQs related to the BE-25 survey (PDF)

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-25?

Read more about 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-25?

Since your transaction was with a German entity, you should report this as a transaction with Germany. Where the money actually goes is irrelevant, even if you were to send your payments to a bank in the U.S. as a matter of convenience.

View and print all FAQs related to the BE-25 survey (PDF)

Do I need to submit a hard copy of the BE-25 form if I am submitting the form by fax or ASTAR?

Read more about Do I need to submit a hard copy of the BE-25 form if I am submitting the form by fax or ASTAR?

No. A single submission, whether by mail, fax, or ASTAR, is sufficient.

View and print all FAQs related to the BE-25 survey (PDF)

How can I obtain an MS Excel (.xls format) version of the BE-25 survey form?

Read more about How can I obtain an MS Excel (.xls format) version of the BE-25 survey form?

You can obtain a MS Excel version of the BE-25 by sending an email to be-25@bea.gov. This is an automated system, and it will automatically send you an .xls version.

View and print all FAQs related to the BE-25 survey (PDF)

I believe I am exempt from filing data on Schedule A and/or B of the BE-25 survey. What do I do?

Read more about I believe I am exempt from filing data on Schedule A and/or B of the BE-25 survey. What do I do?

Complete pages 1-4 of the survey. If you do not check a box “yes” in Step 2 or Step 3 and you do not wish to report on a voluntary basis on Schedule A or B, then mail the form to the address on the first page.

View and print all FAQs related to the BE-25 survey (PDF)

How should I account for mergers and acquisitions on the BE-25?

Read more about How should I account for mergers and acquisitions on the BE-25?

a. If your company was acquired by a U.S. company, please complete the survey through question number 8, and include the name and address of the company that purchased your company.
b. If your company was purchased by a foreign company, complete the survey as it pertains to you and go to http://www.bea.gov/surveys/fdiusurv for information on foreign direct investment survey requirements.