Every five years, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) requires all U.S. business entities with foreign affiliates to complete a BE-10 survey. All U.S. entities in which a U.S. person, individual, or entity directly or indirectly owns or controls a 10% or greater voting interest in a foreign affiliate must file the BE-10 survey by May 31, 2025. While this filing is not a tax filing and not administered by the Internal Revenue Service, this benchmark survey is mandatory, and civil or criminal penalties may be imposed for the failure to file or provide accurate data. Unlike other filings administered by the BEA, which only apply to a business if they are contacted directly by the BEA, the BE-10 survey is required by all businesses regardless of whether or not they are contacted by the BEA.
The survey may be mailed, faxed, or e-filed in the BEA eFile System. While the initial due date is May 31, 2025, the due date for e-filers is June 30, 2025.
What is reported and why?
Taxpayers are required to provide the previous year’s fiscal information. For example, taxpayers filing this year will report 2024 fiscal year’s information, including ownership structure and financial and operating data.
The economic data collected by the BEA of the Department of Commerce in the BE-10 survey is used by the U.S. government, businesses, and the public. It is used to produce key statistics, including the U.S. gross domestic product and foreign trade. Business leaders, policymakers, and researchers use the information to make informed decisions about hiring and investing and analyze the impacts of direct investment on taxes, wages, jobs, and productivity.
Are extensions available?
Reasonable requests for an extension are generally granted if requested before the applicable filing deadline.
Other BEA surveys for foreign affiliates
Some U.S. persons who own foreign affiliates file a BE-11 survey annually. However, for 2024 reporting, taxpayers who would normally file an annual BE-11 survey will file the benchmark BE-10 survey instead of the BE-11 survey.
Where can I get additional information?
Additional information about this filing can be found here: https://www.bea.gov/be-10-benchmark-survey-us-direct-investment-abroad
If you believe you have a filing obligation or are unsure if you need to file, please contact your WG advisor as soon as possible for further guidance or assistance.
