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Questions and Answers - by Category

• Understanding Classification Forms

  1.    What is a Classification Form?
  2.    When are Classification Forms mailed?
  3.    What types of businesses receive Classification Forms?
  4.    Why do I need to fill this form out?
  5.    If I receive a Classification Form will I also receive another census form for the 2002 Economic Census?
  

• Special Situations

  6.    This is a private household, how should I respond?
  7.    The Classification Form I received does not fit my type of business. Do I still need to fill it out?
  8.    If I am out of business, do I still need to fill out my Classification Form?
  

• Completing Your Classification Form

  9.    I have more than one business; should I answer the questions for all of our businesses, or just the one indicated in the label area?
  10.  What do you want written in the "Remarks" section?
  11.  Who should sign the certification question on the form?
  12.  How do I know if the business is located in a town, township, village, etc…?
  13.  What if a particular section of the Classification Form does not apply to my business?
  14.  I can't find a description that matches my kind of business, so how should I report?
  15.  Should I check more than one box if I am engaged in more than one business activity?
  16.  How should I answer the class of customer question?
  17.  What if I have more than one method of selling?
  

Understanding Classification Forms

1. What is a Classification Form?

Classification Forms are part of the 2002 Economic Census and are intended to collect information on the industry in which a business operates. Classification Forms collect the minimum amount of information necessary to properly classify businesses, while at the same time making the reporting process as easy as possible for respondents.

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2. When are Classification Forms mailed?

We began mailing Classification Forms on October 30, 2002.

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3. What types of businesses receive Classification Forms?

All types of businesses that are in scope for the 2002 Economic Census can receive a Classification Form. In particular, small businesses are subject to receiving a Classification Form.

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4. Why do I need to fill this form out?

We need your assistance to accurately classify your firm into the correct industry for the 2002 Economic Census. Economic data are essential to business and government decision-making, and reliable data for your business require accurate industry classification. Completion of your classification form also ensures that the U.S. Census Bureau's records are accurate and up to date.

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5. If I receive a Classification Form will I also receive another census form for the 2002 Economic Census?

We mail most businesses one form to minimize respondent reporting burden. However, after returning your Classification Form, some businesses in manufacturing may be mailed a second Economic Census form requesting additional information.

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Special Situations

6. This is a private household, how should I respond?

Indicate in the Remarks section (or somewhere on the form) that the location is a private household and return the form.

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7. The Classification Form I received does not fit my type of business. Do I still need to fill it out?

Yes. It is important that your business is properly classified for the 2002 Economic Census. If your principal business activity is not one of the prelisted boxes, provide a detailed description of your business in the "Other kind of business or activity" box. Use the Remarks section (or somewhere on the form) if additional space is needed.

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8. If I am out of business, do I still need to fill out my Classification Form?

Yes. The Classification Form must be completed if you were in business anytime during 2002. Fill out the form according to the primary activity your business was engaged in when it was in operation. Forms NC-99023 and NC-99026: indicate in the Remarks section (or somewhere on the form) the establishment's operational status at the end of 2002. All other forms: be sure to complete item 29, Operational status.

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Completing Your Classification Form

9. I have more than one business; should I answer the questions for all of our businesses, or just the one indicated in the label area?

Complete the form for the (one) business indicated in the label area. In the Remarks section (or somewhere on the form) describe your other businesses.

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10. What do you want written in the "Remarks" section?

The "Remarks" section can be used for any comments that you may have, or additional information that you would like to provide to clarify your responses.

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11. Who should sign the certification question on the form?

The person who signs the form should be the person to contact if we have questions.

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12. How do I know if the business is located in a town, township, village, etc…?

If you do not know whether your business is located in a town, township, village, etc., mark the "do not know" box.

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13. What if a particular section of the Classification Form does not apply to my business?

If a section of the form does not apply to your business, move to the next section without marking a box, until you find a section that is relevant.

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14. I can't find a description that matches my kind of business, so how should I report?

Describe your primary business activity on the line provided for an "Other" response (or somewhere on the form). For example, if you are a retail business mark the box next to "Other Retail Business-Specify" and describe your business on the line provided.

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15. Should I check more than one box if I am engaged in more than one business activity?

No, please check only the box that best describes your primary business activity.

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16. How should I answer the class of customer question?

This inquiry helps distinguish retail and wholesale trade establishments by measuring the composition of sales by type of customer. Please answer "yes or no" for the three general class of customer questions, and estimate the percentage of your establishment's sales by class of customer.

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17. What if I have more than one method of selling?

Please mark an "X" in the box that best describes the principal method used by your establishment. "Principal" means the method that generated the most receipts or revenue during calendar year 2002. If your principal method is not listed, please choose "Other kind of business" at the end of the list and briefly describe it in the space near the box.

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