Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Business and Professional Classification Report, 39052 [2015-16678]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 130 (Wednesday, July 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 39052]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16678]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Business and 
Professional Classification Report

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau.

ACTION: Notice.

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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.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before September 8, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at jjessup@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Scott Handmaker, Chief, Classification Processing 
Branch, U.S. Census Bureau, 8K149, Washington, DC 20233, Telephone 301-
763-7107; Email: Scott.P.Handmaker@census.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau conducts the Business and Professional 
Classification Report survey (SQ-CLASS) to collect information from new 
businesses to obtain proper industry classification for use in economic 
surveys and the Economic Census. The survey, conducted quarterly, 
samples businesses with newly assigned Employer Identification Numbers 
(EINs) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Businesses can only be 
selected once for the survey. The survey collects data about a business 
in such areas as: Primary business activity, company structure, size, 
and business operations. This information is used to update the 
sampling frame for current business surveys, which ensures high quality 
economic estimates. Additionally, by ensuring proper industry 
classification, this survey reduces burden for the businesses in the 
five-year Economic Census, as the questions in the census are tailored 
to the industry in which the business operates.
    The major change in this survey will be the way respondents report 
their primary business activity. In the past, respondents provided a 
brief description of their primary business activity. Respondents will 
now choose the economic sector of their business and then select from a 
list of business activities. If the respondent does not see their 
business activity listed, then they will provide a brief description of 
their business activity. This is the same methodology that the Census 
Bureau uses in the Economic Census to assign industry classification.
    Additionally, there will no longer be a paper form on which to 
report. Respondents can report over the Internet or by telephone. 
However, we will work with the individual respondents if reporting on 
the Internet or by telephone presents difficulties.
    Minimal changes will be made to the wording and organization of 
existing questions and instructions.

II. Method of Collection

    We will collect this information over the Internet and by telephone 
follow-up. Respondents will receive a letter directing them to the 
Internet to report their information. After two weeks, respondents will 
receive a reminder letter about the survey. After the due date, the 
Census Bureau will conduct a telephone follow-up operation for 
nonresponse. Throughout the survey, telephone assistance is available 
for respondents with questions and for those that cannot report over 
the Internet.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0189.
    Form Number(s): SQ-CLASS.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit and not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 52,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 13 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,267 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, sections 131, 182, 
193, 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.

    Dated: July 2, 2015.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-16678 Filed 7-7-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-07-P