BEA uses surveys to collect data about U.S.-owned business activities in other countries. The data are needed for statistics measuring the scale of direct investment abroad and the effects these activities have on the U.S. economy.
Data from these surveys contribute to many of BEA's international and national economic statistics and help answer questions such as:
- Which countries get the most direct investment from U.S. parent companies?
- Which industries are U.S. companies investing in abroad?
These statistics aid decision-making by Congress and federal officials; help analysts and researchers study the impact of direct investment on employment, wages, productivity, and tax revenues; and help American businesses make informed decisions about hiring, growth, and investment. All surveys of U.S. direct investment abroad are mandatory and confidential.
A foreign affiliate is a business enterprise located outside the United States in which a U.S. person or business holds a 10 percent or more voting interest.
Which survey do I file?
Select a box for more information.
When are the forms due?
Within 30 days after the end of your calendar or fiscal quarter. You have 45 days when reporting the final quarter of the financial reporting year.
Within 30 days after the end of your calendar or fiscal quarter. You have 45 days when reporting the final quarter of the financial reporting year.
Have questions about the BE-577?
Email Subscription Service (ESS)
Receive email notifications when survey forms or respondent resources are updated.
Sign up now!When are the forms due?
May 31, 2024
May 31, 2024
How can I file?
File online here with eFileFile by Mail or Fax
- All entities must complete the BE-11A (Fillable - PDF) form for the fully consolidated U.S. business with at least one foreign affiliate
- And entities must file one or more of the following forms:
- BE-11B (Fillable - PDF) for majority-owned foreign affiliate(s) whose assets, sales, or net income exceed $60 million
- BE-11C (Fillable - PDF) for minority-owned foreign affiliate(s) whose assets, sales, or net income exceed $60 million
- BE-11D (Fillable - PDF) for newly established or acquired foreign affiliate(s) that have assets, sales, or net income above $25 million but below $60 million
- BE-11D (Fillable - PDF) extra page for reporting additional BE-11D affiliates
Additional Documents
- BE-11 Claim for Not Filing (PDF)
- BE-11 Instruction Booklet (PDF)
- BE-11 Request for Extension for Filing (Must be done using eFile)
Have questions about the BE-11?
When are the forms due?
May 31, 2023
May 31, 2023
How can I file?
File online here with eFileFile by Mail or Fax
- All entities must complete the BE-11A (Fillable - PDF) form for the fully consolidated U.S. business with at least one foreign affiliate
- And entities must file one or more of the following forms:
- BE-11B (Fillable - PDF) for majority-owned foreign affiliate(s) whose assets, sales, or net income exceed $60 million
- BE-11C (Fillable - PDF) for minority-owned foreign affiliate(s) whose assets, sales, or net income exceed $60 million
- BE-11D (Fillable - PDF) for newly established or acquired foreign affiliate(s) that have assets, sales, or net income above $25 million but below $60 million
- BE-11D (Fillable - PDF) extra page for reporting additional BE-11D affiliates
Additional Documents
- BE-11 Claim for Not Filing (PDF)
- BE-11 Instruction Booklet (PDF)
- BE-11 Request for Extension for Filing (Must be done using eFile)
Have questions about the BE-11?
When are the forms due?
May 31, 2022
May 31, 2022
How can I file?
File online here with eFileFile by Mail or Fax
- All entities must complete the BE-11A (Fillable - PDF) form for the fully consolidated U.S. business with at least one foreign affiliate
- And entities must file one or more of the following forms:
- BE-11B (Fillable - PDF) for majority-owned foreign affiliate(s) whose assets, sales, or net income exceed $60 million
- BE-11C (Fillable - PDF) for minority-owned foreign affiliate(s) whose assets, sales, or net income exceed $60 million
- BE-11D (Fillable - PDF) for newly established or acquired foreign affiliate(s) that have assets, sales, or net income above $25 million but below $60 million
- BE-11D (Fillable - PDF) extra page for reporting additional BE-11D affiliates
Additional Documents
- BE-11 Claim for Not Filing (PDF)
- BE-11 Instruction Booklet (PDF)
- BE-11 Request for Extension for Filing (Must be done using eFile)
Have questions about the BE-11?
More About BEA's Direct Investment Surveys
- Learning Center: International Trade and Investment
- BEA International Trade and Investment Country Facts
- Latest News Release: Direct Investment by Country and Industry
- Interactive Tables: Direct Investment & Multinational Enterprises (MNEs)
- Pre-Formatted Tables: U.S. Direct Investment Abroad or Foreign Direct Investment in the U.S.
- Guide to BEA's Direct Investment Surveys PDF
- Definitions
- Industry and Foreign Trade Classification Materials
- Guide to Reporting Countries on BEA Survey Forms
- May I fax my report?
- May I have an extension of the due date for filing the report?
- May I file using an expired version of the form?
- Will BEA acknowledge receipt of my report if requested?
- How do I obtain a copy of a recent report I filed?
- Who should provide the authorized signature on the report?
- How do I file my reports?
- I received a "Notice of Failure to File" stating that my company has not complied with the reporting requirements. What should I do?
- The address or contact person to whom my survey reports are sent has changed. How do I update this information with BEA?
- Can I sign up for e-mail reminders to file BE-577 survey reports?
- How should the currency composition of intercompany debt receivable and payable balances be reported on the BE-577 survey?
- How should I report monetary values on the BE-577 survey?
- If I submit a certification of exemption, do I still need to submit the BE-577 survey?
- The affiliate named in question 4 was restructured. What is my reporting responsibility?
- Should dividends from other foreign affiliates be included in question 12A, net income?
- I am reporting for a private fund. Do I have to file a BE-577?