[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 144 (Tuesday, July 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40257-40258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20070]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
ACTION: Proposed Collection; Comment Request.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 28,
1998.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Charles Funk, Bureau of the Census, Room 1285, FB
#3, Washington, DC 20233, Telephone (301) 457-3324.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Census Bureau plans the continuing information collection for
the 1998 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES). The annual survey
collects data on fixed assets and depreciation, sales and receipts, and
capital expenditures for new and used structures and equipment. The
ACES is the sole source of detailed comprehensive statistics on actual
business spending by domestic, private, nonfarm businesses operating in
the United States.
The major change from the previous ACES is the collection of
detailed capital expenditures by type of structure and type of
equipment for the 1998 ACES from employer companies. Beginning with the
1998 ACES, type of structures and type of equipment data are collected
together once every five years. These data are critical to evaluate the
comprehensiveness of capital expenditures statistics collected in years
for which type of structures and equipment detail are not collected.
The detailed structures data will provide a 5-year benchmark for
estimates of new construction put in place. The detailed equipment data
will provide a periodic measure of expenditures by type of equipment
and assist in evaluating estimates of Producer's Durable Equipment in
nonresidential fixed investment. Negotiations are currently taking
place with data users on the extent of detailed type of structures and
type of equipment data to be collected.
Actual business spending will be collected from employer and
nonemployer businesses. Business spending data are used to evaluate the
quality of estimates of gross domestic product, develop monetary
policy, analyze business asset depreciation, and improve estimates of
capital stock for productivity analysis. Industry analysts use these
data for market analysis, economic forecasting, identifying business
opportunities, product development, and business planning.
II. Method of Collection
The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to
collect data. Companies will be asked to respond to the survey within
30 days of the initial mailing. Respondent companies are permitted to
respond via facsimile machine using our toll-free number. Letters and/
or telephone calls encouraging participation will be directed to
respondents that have not responded by the designated time.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0607-0782.
Form Number: ACE-1 (Sent to employer companies reporting payroll to
the Internal Revenue Service) and ACE-2 (Sent to nonemployer
businesses).
Type of Review: Regular Review.
Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations, non-
profit institutions, small businesses or organizations, and self-
employed individuals.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 46,000 (32,000 employer companies,
and 14,000 nonemployer businesses).
Estimated Time Per Response: The average for all respondents is
3.815 hours. For companies completing form ACE-1, the range is 2 to 28
hours, averaging 5 hours. For companies completing form ACE-2, the
range is less than 1 hour to 2 hours, averaging 1 hour.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The total annual burden for
fiscal year 1999 is estimated to be 175,490 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: The total cost to all respondents is
estimated to be $2,323,576. This cost is calculated by multiplying the
annual burden hours (175,490) by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 1996
estimate ($523 for a 39.5 hour work week) for a private industry entry
level accountant.
Respondents' Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Sections 182, 224,
and 225.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
[[Page 40258]]
Dated: July 23, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information
Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-20070 Filed 7-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
