Business Help Site

About Reporting

7.  About how long will it take me to complete this form?

The length of time it will take you to complete this form has been estimated to average 2.9 hours per response for the long form 200 MT and 1.5 hours for the short form 201 MG, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

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8.  How is the privacy of my company protected?

Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9 requires the U.S. Census Bureau to keep your report strictly confidential and protects copies of the reports retained in your files from legal process. The information that you provide will be used for statistical purposes only.

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9.  How do I know that no one can access the data from your computers?

Data maintained in the Bureau's computer system is not accessible to anyone outside the Census Bureau. Our computers cannot be accessed through telephone lines - there is no direct dial up. In addition, the computer area is closed to all personnel, except those with special passes, a Census user identification and a password.

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10.  How did my company get selected for this survey?

Each year, a QFR sampling frame is built from an annual IRS file of corporate entities which are required to file Form 1120 or 1120S. This frame is stratified by industry classification and size of total assets and gross receipts prior to sampling.

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11.  Is this survey mandatory?

Yes, your response is required by law. Title 13 of the U.S. Code requires businesses and other organizations selected in the sample to answer the questions and return the report(s) to the Census Bureau. The law also provides that copies retained in your files are confidential and immune from legal process. In addition, reported data are exempt from requests made under the Freedom of Information Act.

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