2013-20212. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.

Title: Business and Professional Classification Report.

Form Number(s): SQ-CLASS(00).

OMB Control Number: 0607-0189.

Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection.

Burden Hours: 11,267.

Number of Respondents: 52,000.

Average Hours per Response: 13 minutes.

Needs and Uses: The Economic Census and current business surveys represent the primary source of facts about the structure and function of the U.S. economy, providing essential information to government and the business community in making sound decisions. This information helps build the foundation for the calculation of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and other important measures of the economy. Crucial to the success of the surveys and the economic census conducted by the Census Bureau is the accuracy and reliability of the Business Register. The Business Register (BR) is a multi-relational database that contains a record for each known establishment that is located in the United States or one of its territories. This database serves as the primary source for constructing sampling frames for the economic census and current business surveys.

The BR is used to identify the set of statistical units that represents an economic data collection's target population, which is defined by a specific reference period and scope. Critical to the quality of information housed in the BR is that each of the statistical units has an accurate industry classification, measure of size, activity status, and physical address assigned to it. Furthermore, linkages between the different types of statistical units, such as companies, establishments, and Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) must be accurately maintained over time. The primary purpose of the Business and Professional Classification Report (SQ-CLASS report) is to meet these needs for the retail trade, wholesale trade, and services portions of the economy as defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The data collected by the SQ-CLASS report are used to update the current business surveys to reflect newly opened establishments. Additionally, establishments in the five-year economic census will receive data collection instruments specifically tailored to their industry based on the classification information obtained by the SQ-CLASS report.

To keep current with rapid changes in the marketplace caused by new businesses (a.k.a. births) the Census Bureau samples newly assigned Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Each EIN can only be selected once for the SQ-CLASS report. EINs selected for the SQ-CLASS sample are asked to provide data about the establishment(s) associated with the new EIN including a more reliable measure of size, consisting of sales in two recent months, company affiliation information, a new or more detailed industry classification code, and other key information needed to maintain proper coverage of the business universe on the BR for the current business surveys.

Based on information collected on the SQ-CLASS form, EINs meeting the criteria for inclusion in the Census Bureau's current business surveys are eligible for a second phase of sampling. The retail and wholesale EINs selected in this second sampling are asked to report annually on the annual retail, wholesale, and service surveys. A subsample of the retail and wholesale EINs are also asked to report monthly on the monthly retail and wholesale surveys. Similarly, a subsample of the service EINs are asked to report quarterly on the Quarterly Services Survey.

There are few changes since the last request was submitted for OMB clearance in 2010. Most of the changes to the questionnaire are aesthetic. The questionnaire has been redeveloped using the Census Bureau's standard questionnaire design software. This gives it a very similar look and feel when compared to collection instruments for other Census Bureau economic surveys and the economic census. Some changes were made to the wording and organization of existing questions and instructions to ensure consistency across the economic surveys and/or the economic census. Additionally, the sample size has decreased from the previous OMB submission due to the availability of more complete and timely administrative data.

Although no statistical tables are prepared or published, the outputs of the SQ-CLASS report directly and critically affect the quality of the estimates published for the Advance Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services Survey (OMB Approval 0607-0104); Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey (OMB 0607-0190); Services Annual Survey (OMB Approval 0607-0422); Annual Retail Trade Survey (OMB Approval 0607-0013); Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (OMB Approval 0607-0195); and Quarterly Service Survey (OMB Approval 0607-0907), because the SQ-CLASS report is used to reflect newly opened businesses in the samples for these surveys.

The information obtained from the SQ-CLASS report is also used in tabulating data for small businesses in succeeding economic censuses (because many small businesses are not mailed an economic census report form), and for the Census Bureau's County Business Patterns program, which is conducted on an annual basis.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, Not-for-profit institutions.

Frequency: One time.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 182 and 193.

OMB Desk Officer: Brian Harris-Kojetin, [phone].

Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, [phone], Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax [phone]) or email ([e-mail]).

Dated: August 14, 2013.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.