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Multi-Sector
Business Register
BUSINESS REGISTER
PURPOSE
To provide a current and comprehensive database of U.S. business establishments and companies for statistical program use. The United States Code, Titles 13 and 26, and a 1968 designation by the Office of Management and Budget, authorize this program.
The Business Register information is confidential [Title 13 and Title 26, US Code]. Access is restricted to persons specially sworn to uphold the confidentiality provisions ot Title 13 and Title 26.
COVERAGE
Establishments of all domestic employer and non-employer businesses (except private households and governments) and organizational units of multi-establishment businesses. Businesses are legal or administrative entities assigned an Employer Identification Number (EIN) by the Internal Revenue Service, and units include divisions, subsidiaries, companies, and other affiliated organizations. The Business Register (BR) covers more than 180,000 multi-unit companies, representing 1.5 million affiliated establishments, 5 million single-establishment companies, and nearly 14 million non-employer businesses.
CONTENT
Business Register information is establishment-based and includes business location, organization type (e.g., subsidiary or parent), industry classification, and operating data (e.g., receipts and employment). The scope, detail, and reference period for BR information vary by establishment type and size; and the source of list information. Business Register information is maintained separately for each establishment, company, and major intra-company organizational unit.
FREQUENCY
Business Register listings are initiated and updated continuously with the latest and best information available from Census Bureau and other Federal statistical and administrative records programs. The frequency for updating individual data items varies from every quarter to every 5 years. Data has been updated continuously since 1972. Before 1994, non-employers were included only for years ending in "2" and "7."
METHODS
A database with multiple tables to consolidate and link administrative, Census, and survey data. Records from multiple sources are loaded as received and used to add to or update tables containing list of enterprises and establishments with the best available classification, size, address, and company affiliation information. List information for single establishments and EINs is updated continuously; including employment and payroll data based on payroll tax records, and receipts data based on income tax records from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Information for establishments of multi-unit companies is updated annually based on responses to the company organization survey and annual survey of manufactures. Other routine sources of update information include Census Bureau current surveys (e.g.,Current Industrial Reports) and the economic census.
To maintain Business Register information by establishment, organizational unit, and company, a system of cross-classification is used that links location, organization, and operating information from diverse sources, over time, and for the same and related establishments. The system includes unique Census- assigned identification numbers, incorporates EINs issued for Federal tax purposes, and includes industry classifications assigned by the Social Security Administration. Since 1991, industry classifications for some businesses have also been obtained and improved through periodic comparisons with classifications of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
PRODUCTS
The Business Register is used throughout Census Bureau economic data programs, but data for individual establishments are not available for public use because Federal law prohibits disclosure of individual business information. However, Business Register information is the primary source of summary statistics published in annual County Business Patterns reports, and is a resource used in responding to requests for special summary reports and reimbursable non-employer statistics tabulations.
USES
The Business Register is integral to most Census Bureau economic census and survey statistical operations, including preparation, mail-out, data processing, quality assurance, and disclosure avoidance. The Business Register is also used as a sampling frame for special reimbursable surveys.
The Business Register is the primary source of summary statistics published in the annual County Business Patterns reports. These reports provide statistics for each county and 6-digit NAICS industry, including number of establishments, payroll, and employment.
The Business Register is used to respond to requests for special reports and reimbursable tabulations (particularly for small area data). Recipients of such summary statistics have included the Bureau of Economic Analysis; the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Housing and Urban Development; Small Business Administration; state and local economic development agencies; and private businesses.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Provides the most complete, current, and consistent source of establishment-
based information about U.S. businesses, and is essential to assuring full coverage
and high quality in Federal economic statistics programs.
RELATED PROGRAMS
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You
are here: Economic Programs Overview
Multi-Sector
Business RegisterLast revised: Thursday, 27-Jul-2006 11:10:41 EDT
