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.
Establishments of all domestic businesses (except private households and governments)
and organizational units of multi-establishment businesses. The Business
Register (BR) covers more than 160,000 multi-establishment companies, representing
1.8 million affiliated establishments, 5 million single establishment companies,
and nearly 21 million non employer businesses. 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 and company. The Business Register is 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." The Business Register is a relational 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 records
of enterprises, tax reporting entities based on Internal Revenue Service Employer
Identification Numbers (EINs), and establishments with the best available classification,
size, address, and company affiliation information. 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 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. 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. The Business Register is integral to the Census Bureau's economic census
and most economic surveys. It provides the frame including information for name
and address, contacts, industry, and size. In addition, the Business Register
is utilized to update samples and provides administrative data for use in edit and imputation. 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. It is also the source for receipts data published by
geographic area and 6-digit NAICS industry in the Nonemployer Statistics report. 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. 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. EXPLORE INFORMATION CONTINUE OVERVIEW
BUSINESS REGISTER
PURPOSE
COVERAGE
CONTENT
FREQUENCY
METHODS
PRODUCTS
USES
SPECIAL FEATURES
RELATED PROGRAMS