Many business owners are surprised to receive letters or emails from the U.S. Census Bureau requesting participation in the Annual Business Survey (ABS) or other economic surveys. Because these notices often arrive unexpectedly, they are sometimes mistaken for marketing solicitations or scams. In many cases, however, the request is legitimate and participation may be required.
What Is the Annual Business Survey?
The Annual Business Survey is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau to collect information about American businesses, including:
– Business operations and performance
– Workforce characteristics
– Research and development activities
– Business ownership demographics
The information collected helps federal agencies, policymakers, researchers, and businesses better understand economic trends and conditions throughout the country.
Is Participation Required?
Many Census Bureau business surveys are mandatory under federal law when a business has been selected to participate.
Failure to respond may result in follow-up notices and, in some cases, penalties. For that reason, business owners should not ignore correspondence from the U.S. Census Bureau without first verifying its legitimacy.
How Can You Tell If the Notice Is Legitimate?
Official Census Bureau communications generally:
– Reference the U.S. Census Bureau
– Provide a survey identification code
– Direct recipients to complete the survey through an official Census Bureau website
– Include contact information for Census Bureau representatives.
If you are unsure whether a notice is legitimate, verify the information through the Census Bureau before providing any business information.
Need Assistance?
If you receive a Census Bureau survey request and are uncertain about what information is being requested, our office may be able to help you identify the information needed to complete the survey.