Be-15a

Annual Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States

BE-15 A_102020

OMB: 0608-0034

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 0608-0034 can be found here:

2023-10-19 - Revision of a currently approved collection

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FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

OMB No. 0608-0034: Approval Expires 10/12/2021
BEA-12Identification
IdentificationNumber
Number
BE-15

*Do not enter Social Security Number as Identification Number

2020 ANNUAL SURVEY OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
MANDATORY — CONFIDENTIAL
FORM BE–15A
Name and address of U.S. business enterprise

Due date: May 31, 2021
Electronic filing: www.bea.gov/efile
Mail reports to:

1002 Name of U.S. affiliate
0

U.S. Department of Commerce
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Direct Investment Division, BE–49(A)
4600 Silver Hill Rd
Washington, DC 20233

1010 c/o (care of)
0
1003 Street or P.O. Box
0

Deliver reports to: U.S. Department of Commerce

Bureau of Economic Analysis

Direct Investment Division, BE–49(A)

4600 Silver Hill Rd

Suitland, MD 20746

0998 State

1004 City
0
1005 ZIP Code
0

Fax reports to:

(301) 278–9500

Assistance:

E-mail: be12/15@bea.gov
Telephone: (301) 278-9247
Copies of blank forms: www.bea.gov/fdi

Foreign Postal Code
Or

Include your BE–15 Identification Number with all requests.
Have you been notified that you must file a BE-15 Survey?
If so, you must file a BE-15A, BE-15B, BE-15C, or BE-15 Claim for Exemption by the due date.
Who must file BE–15A:
Those majority-owned U.S. affiliates with any of the following items exceeding $300 million (positive or negative):
• Total assets
• Sales or gross operating revenues
• Net income
If you do not meet the filing criteria above, another BE-15 survey may be applicable. See instruction I.A.1 on page 22 to determine which form
to file. For more information on filing requirements, see instruction I.2 on page 23.
Certain private funds may be exempt from filing. See item 2(d) of the BE-15 Claim for Exemption for more information.
Mandatory and Confidential
This survey is being conducted under the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act (P.L. 94–472, 90 Stat. 2059, 22 U.S.C. 3101–
3108, as amended). The filing of reports is mandatory, and the Act provides that your report to this Bureau is confidential. Whoever fails to report may
be subject to penalties. See page 21 for more details.

CONTACT INFORMATION

CERTIFICATION

Provide information of person to consult about this report:

The undersigned official certifies that this report has been prepared
in accordance with the applicable instructions, is complete, and is
substantially accurate including estimates that may have been provided.

1000 Name
0
1029 Street 1
0

Signature of Authorized Official

1030 Street 2
0
1031 City
0
1001 Telephone Number
0
0999 Fax Number
0

Date
0

0990 Name
0

State

Zip

0991 Title
0

Extension

0992 Telephone Number
0

Extension
0

0993 Fax Number
0

1028 E-mail Address
0

NOTE: BEA uses a Secure Messaging System to correspond with you via encrypted message to discuss questions relating to this form. We may use
your e-mail address for survey-related announcements and to inform you about secure messages. When communicating with BEA by e-mail, please do
not include any confidential business or personal information.

Part I - Identification of U.S. Affiliate
IMPORTANT
Review the instructions starting on page 21 before completing this form. Insurance and real estate companies — see special instructions starting
on page 29.
• Accounting principles — If feasible, use U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to complete Form BE–15 unless you are
requested to do otherwise by a specific instruction. References in the instructions to Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting
Standards Codification Topics are referred to as “FASB ASC.”
• U.S. affiliate’s 2020 fiscal year — The affiliate’s financial reporting year that had an ending date in calendar year 2020.
• Consolidated reporting — A U.S. affiliate must file on a fully consolidated domestic U.S. basis, including in the consolidation ALL
U.S. business enterprises proceeding down each ownership chain whose voting securities are more than 50 percent owned by the
U.S. business enterprise above. Consolidation rules are found in instruction IV.2 starting on page 24.
• Rounding — Report currency amounts in U.S. dollars rounded to thousands (omitting 000).
$ Bil.
Do not enter amounts in the shaded portions of each item.
Example — If amount is $1,334,891.00 report as:.................................................................................................

Mil.

Thous. Dols.

335

000

1 Which financial reporting standards will you use to complete this BE–15 report?
NOTE — The BE-15 report should be completed using U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S.GAAP). If using U.S.
GAAP to complete this report is highly burdensome, or otherwise not feasible, you may use other financial reporting standards,
preferably with adjustments to correct for any material differences between U.S. GAAP and the reporting standards used.
1399 1

U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

International Financial Reporting Standards (as promulgated by, or adapted from, the International Accounting Standards Board)
NOTE — Do not prepare your BE–15 report using the proportionate consolidation method.

Other reporting standards — Specify the reporting standards used

2 Is more than 50 percent of the voting interest in this U.S. business enterprise owned by another U.S. affiliate of the foreign parent
(see the diagram)?
1400 1

Yes If “Yes” — Do not complete this report unless exception 2.c.
described in the consolidation rules applies. This exception
states that a U.S. affiliate in which a direct ownership interest
and an indirect ownership interest are held by different foreign
persons should not be fully consolidated into another U.S.
affiliate, but must complete and file its own Form BE-15 report.
See diagram on page 25 for an illustration of this exception.
If this exception does not apply, forward the BE-15 notification
to file to the U.S. business enterprise owning your company
more than 50 percent, and notify BEA of the action taken by
filing BE-15 Claim for Exemption with item 2(c) completed on
page 3 of that form. The BE-15 Claim for Exemption can be
accessed through eFile or downloaded from BEA’s Web site at:
www.bea.gov/fdi.

CONSOLIDATION OF U.S. AFFILIATES
Foreign parent
Foreign
United States
U.S. business enterprise A
> 50 percent

U.S. business enterprise B
U.S. business enterprise B should be consolidated on the BE–15 report
for U.S. business enterprise A because U.S. business enterprise B is
more than 50 percent owned by U.S. business enterprise A.

If “No” — Complete this report in accordance with the
consolidation rules starting on page 24.

Enter Employer Identification Number(s) used by the U.S. affiliate to file income and payroll taxes.
Primary
1006 1

–

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Other
2

–

Page 2

10 to 100 percent

Part I - Identification of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
4 Reporting period — Reporting period instructions are found in instruction 4 on page 25. If there was a change in fiscal year, review
instruction 4.b. on page 25.
1007

This U.S. affiliate’s fiscal year ended in calendar year 2020 on..............................................................................

Example — If the fiscal year ended on March 31, report for the 12-month period ended March 31, 2020.

Month

Day

__ __ / __ __ /

Year

2 0 2 0

NOTE — Affiliates with a fiscal year that ended within the first week of January 2021 are considered to have a 2020 fiscal year and should
report December 31, 2020 as their 2020 fiscal year end.
5 Did the U.S. business enterprise become a U.S. affiliate during its fiscal year that ended in calendar year 2020?
1008 1

1009 Month

Yes

Day

Year

1
If “Yes” — Enter the date the U.S. business enterprise became a U.S. affiliate and see
instruction 5 on page 25 to determine how to report for the first time........................................... __ __ / __ __ / __ __ __ __

NOTE — For a U.S. business enterprise that became a U.S. affiliate during its fiscal year that ended in calendar year 2020, leave the close
FY 2019 data columns blank. A U.S. business enterprise existing before fiscal year 2020 that became a U.S. affiliate in fiscal year 2020 should
file a report covering a full 12 months of operations. All U.S. business enterprises that become a new affiliate are also required to file a Form
BE-13. More information and copies of survey forms can be found at www.bea.gov/be13.
6 Form of organization of U.S. affiliate — Mark (X) one
1011 1

Incorporated in U.S.

Reporting rules for unincorporated affiliates are found in instruction 6 on page 26.
1

U.S. partnership — Reporting rules for partnerships are found in instruction 6.b. on page 26.

U.S. branch of foreign person — See instruction II.C. on page 23 for the definition of person.

Limited Liability Company (LLC) — Reporting rules for LLCs are found in instruction 6.c. on page 26.

Real property not in 1–4 above — Reporting rules for real estate are found in instruction V.C. on page 29.

Business enterprise incorporated abroad, but whose head office is located in the United States and whose business activity is
conducted in, or from, the United States

Other — Specify

7 Does this U.S. affiliate own any foreign business enterprises or operations (see the diagram below)?
1014 1

Yes

If “Yes” — DO NOT consolidate foreign business enterprises or operations. Foreign operations in which you own an interest of 20
percent or more are to be deconsolidated and reported using the equity method of accounting. If your ownership interest is less
than 20 percent, foreign operations are to be reported in accordance with FASB ASC 320 (formerly FAS 115). Reporting rules for
foreign operations are found in instruction IV.2.a. on page 25.
NOTE — DO NOT eliminate intercompany accounts (e.g., receivables or liabilities) for holdings reported using the equity method.

U.S. affiliate A
United States
Foreign
Foreign business
enterprises or
operations
owned by the
U.S. affiliate

Do not consolidate foreign business
enterprises or foreign operations
owned by the U.S. affiliate

8 U.S. business enterprises fully consolidated in this report — U.S. business enterprises that are more than 50 percent owned based on
voting interest should be fully consolidated in this report, except as noted in the consolidation rules starting on page 24. Banks see instruction
I.C. on page 23 for aggregated reporting rules.
Enter the number of U.S. business enterprises consolidated in this report in the box below. Hereinafter they are considered to be one U.S.
affiliate. If the report is for a single U.S. business enterprise, enter “1” in the box below. Exclude from the consolidation all foreign business
enterprises or operations owned by this U.S. affiliate.
1012

If the number is greater than one, complete Supplement A on page 18.
FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 3

Part I - Identification of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
9 U.S. affiliates NOT fully consolidated — See instruction 9 on page 26.
Number of U.S. affiliates, in which this U.S. affiliate has an ownership interest, that are NOT fully consolidated in this report.

1013 1

If number is not zero, complete Supplement B on page 19
The U.S. affiliate named on page 1 must include data for any unconsolidated U.S. affiliates on an equity basis and must notify the
unconsolidated U.S. affiliates of their obligation to file a Form BE–15 in their own names (see page 22 to determine the
appropriate form for these affiliates to file).
10 Did this U.S. affiliate acquire or establish any U.S. business enterprises or segments during the reporting period that are now either
contained in this report on a fully consolidated basis, merged into this U.S. affiliate, or reflected as an equity investment?
1015

Yes

If “Yes”, file a Form BE-13 to reflect each acquisition if you have not done so already. Forms can be found at
www.bea.gov/fdi

11 Did this U.S. affiliate sell, transfer ownership of, or liquidate any U.S. subsidiaries, operating divisions, segments, etc., during its fiscal
year that ended in calendar year 2020?
1016 1

Yes

OWNERSHIP — Enter percent of ownership in this U.S. affiliate, to a tenth of one percent, based on voting and equity interest if an incorporated affiliate (or
an equivalent interest if an unincorporated affiliate). “Voting interest” and “equity interest” are defined in instructions 12–16 on page 27.
Foreign parent — A foreign parent is the FIRST person or entity outside the U.S. in a chain of ownership that has a 10 percent or more voting interest
(direct or indirect) in this U.S. affiliate. Country of incorporation or organization (if a business enterprise) or residence (if an individual or government) –
For individuals, see instruction V.G. on page 30.

Name of each direct owner

Equity interest
(If different from voting interest)

Voting interest

Country of
foreign parent

Close FY 2020
(1)

Close FY 2019
(2)

Close FY 2020
(3)

Close FY 2019
(4)

Ownership held directly by foreign parent(s) of this affiliate — see example 1 below.
Enter name of each foreign parent with direct ownership and the country of the foreign parent — if more than 2, continue on next page.
12

2
3
4
5
1017 1
___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___%

1018 1 2 3 4 5
___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___%

Ownership held directly by all U.S. affiliates of the foreign parent(s) — see example 2 below.
Enter name of each U.S. affiliate that owns this affiliate and the country of the foreign parent — if more than 2, continue on next page.
14

1063 1 2 3 4 5
___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___%

1064 1 2 3 4 5
___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___%

1062
Direct ownership held by all other persons (do not list
names) ..................................................................................................

TOTAL — Sum of items 12 through 16 .............................................

___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___% ___ ___ ___ . ___%

100%

EXAMPLES OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT FOREIGN OWNERSHIP
Example 1. Ownership held directly by a foreign parent
Foreign company Y is the
foreign parent because it is
the first owner located outside
the U.S. in a chain of ownership
that owns 10 percent or more
of the U.S. affiliate.

Foreign

Example 2. Ownership held directly by all U.S. affiliates of
the foreign parent(s)

Foreign parent

Foreign company X
Foreign
Foreign company Y
(foreign parent)

United States
U.S. affiliate A

10 to 100 percent

U.S. affiliate B is indirectly
owned by the foreign parent
through U.S. affiliate A. U.S.
affiliate A has a direct ownership
interest in U.S. affiliate B.

United States
U.S. affiliate

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

10 to 100 percent

Page 4

U.S. affiliate B

BEA
USE
ONLY

DIRECT OWNERSHIP–continued
Use only if you need to enter more owners after item 13 on the previous page.
Equity interest

Voting interest
Ownership held directly by foreign parent(s)
of this U.S. affiliate — Give name of each
foreign parent with direct ownership.

Country of
foreign parent

Close FY
2020

Close FY
2019

(1)
1

1019

(If different from voting interest)

Close FY
2020

(2)
2

(3)
3

BEA
USE
ONLY

Close FY
2019
(4)
4

_ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ %
1
2
3
4
5
_ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ %
1
2
3
4
5
_ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ %
1
2
3
4
5
_ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ %
1
2
3
4
5
_ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ %
1
2
3
4
5
_ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ %
1
2
3
4
5
_ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ %
1
2
3
4
5
_ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ %

1020
1021
1022
1023
1024
1025
1026

INDIRECT FOREIGN PARENT OWNERSHIP–continued
Use only if you need to enter more owners after item 15 on the previous page.
Ownership held indirectly by foreign
parent(s) of this U.S. affiliate through
another U.S. affiliate — Give name of each
higher tier U.S. affiliate with direct ownership
in this U.S. affiliate.
1065
1066
1067
1068
1069

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Equity interest

Voting interest
Country of
foreign parent

Close FY
2020

Close FY
2019

(2)
1

(If different from voting interest)

Close FY
2020

(2)
2

(3)
3

BEA
USE
ONLY

Close FY
2019
(4)
4

_ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ %
1
2
3
4
5
_ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ %
1
2
3
4
5
_ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ %
1
2
3
4
5
_ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ %
1
2
3
4
5
_ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ % _ _ _ . _ %

Part I - Identification of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
17 Enter the name, industry code and city of the foreign parent. If there is more than one foreign parent, list each and its industry code on a separate
sheet.
17a Enter name of foreign parent. If the foreign parent is an individual, enter “individual.”
3011 0

17b What is the city of incorporation of the foreign parent named in 17a ? DO NOT report the city of residence if the foreign parent is an individual
or government entity (enter N/A). 3024 1
17c Enter the foreign parent industry code from the list of codes on page 6 that best describes the PRIMARY activity of the SINGLE entity named as

the foreign parent. DO NOT base the code on the worldwide sales of all consolidated subsidiaries of the foreign parent. If the foreign parent is an
individual, enter code “05.”
3018 1

Ownership type:

■

■ Indirect

Direct

18 For each foreign parent, furnish the name, country, industry code and city of the ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) – see UBO diagrams below. If there
is more than one foreign parent, list each on a separate sheet and give the name of its UBO, and the UBO’s country and industry codes.
The UBO is the person or entity, proceeding up the ownership chain beginning with and including the foreign parent, in which no other entity has
more than 50 percent direct voting interest. See instruction II.P on page 24 for the complete definition of UBO.
18a Is the foreign parent also the UBO? If the foreign parent is owned or controlled MORE THAN 50 percent by another person or entity, then the
foreign parent is NOT the UBO.
3019 1

Yes – (example 1 below) – Skip to 18e

No – (examples 2A and 2B below) – Continue with item 18b

18b Enter the name of the UBO of the foreign parent. If the UBO is an individual, or an associated group of individuals, enter “individual.” See
instruction II.D. on page 23 for the definition of associated group. Identifying the UBO as “bearer shares” is not an acceptable response.
3021 0

18c What is the city of incorporation of the UBO named in 18b ? – DO NOT report the city of residence if the UBO is an individual or government
entity (enter N/A). 3025 0

18d Enter country in which the UBO is incorporated or organized, if a business enterprise, or is resident, if an
individual or government. For individuals, see instruction V.G. on page 30.

BEA USE ONLY

3022 0

3022 1

18e Enter the industry code of the UBO from the list of codes on page 6. Select the industry code that best reflects the consolidated worldwide
sales of the UBO, including all of its majority-owned subsidiaries.
3023

(Do not use code 14 for the UBO)

EXAMPLES OF THE ULTIMATE BENEFICIAL OWNER (UBO)
Example 1 – The UBO and foreign parent are the same
The UBO and foreign parent are the
same if the foreign parent is NOT
more than 50 percent owned or
controlled by another person or entity.

Foreign
United States

Foreign company X
1 to 50 percent
Foreign parent = UBO
U.S. affiliate

Examples 2A and 2B – The foreign parent is NOT the UBO
A. The UBO is a foreign person or entity
Foreign company Y is the foreign parent
of the U.S. affiliate; foreign company X
is the UBO. The foreign parent is not the
UBO if the foreign parent is more than 50
percent owned or controlled by another
person or entity.

Foreign
United States

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

B. The UBO is a U.S. person or entity

Foreign company X
(UBO)

Foreign company Z is the foreign
parent of the U.S. affiliate.
U.S. company C is the UBO.

>50 Percent

Foreign company Z
(Foreign parent)

Foreign company Y
(Foreign parent)

Foreign
United States

U.S. affiliate

Page 5

>50 Percent
U.S. company C
(UBO)

U.S. affiliate

Part II - Financial and Operating Data of U.S. Affiliate
FOREIGN PARENT AND UBO INDUSTRY CODES
Note: “ISI codes” are International Surveys Industry codes, as given in the Guide to Industry Classifications for International Surveys, 2017.
See the Summary of Industry Classifications on page 20.
01 Government and government-owned or
-sponsored enterprise, or quasi-government
organization or agency
02 Pension fund — Government run
03 Pension fund — Privately run
04 Estate, trust, or nonprofit organization
05 Individual
Private business enterprise, investment
organization, or group engaged in:

17 Information (ISI codes 5111–5191)
18 Professional, scientific, and technical services
(ISI codes 5411–5419)
19 Other services (ISI codes 1150, 2132, 2133, 5321,
5329, and 5611–8130)
Manufacturing, including fabricating,
assembling, and processing of goods:
20 Food (ISI codes 3111–3119)
21 Beverages and tobacco products (ISI codes 3121 and 3122)

06 Insurance (ISI codes 5242, 5243, 5249)

22 Pharmaceuticals and medicine (ISI code 3254)

07 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
(ISI codes 1110–1140)

23 Other chemicals (ISI codes 3251–3259, except 3254)

08 Mining (ISI codes 2111–2127)
09 Construction (ISI codes 2360–2380)
10 Transportation and warehousing (ISI codes 4810–
4939)
11 Utilities (ISI codes 2211–2213)
12 Wholesale and retail trade (ISI codes 4231–4540)
13 Banking, including bank holding companies
(ISI codes 5221 and 5229)
14 Holding companies, excluding bank holding
companies (ISI codes 5512 and 5513)
15 Other finance (ISI codes 5223, 5224, 5231, 5238, that
part of ISI code 5252 that is not estates and trusts,
and ISI code 5331)

24 Nonmetallic mineral products (ISI codes 3271–3279)
25 Primary and fabricated metal products
(ISI codes 3311–3329)
26 Computer and electronic products (ISI codes 3341–3346)
27 Machinery (ISI codes 3331–3339)
28 Electrical equipment, appliances and
components (ISI codes 3351–3359)
29 Motor vehicles and parts (ISI codes 3361–3363)
30 Other transportation equipment (ISI codes 3364–3369)
31 Other manufacturing (ISI codes 3130–3231, 3261, 3262,
3370–3399)
32 Petroleum manufacturing, including integrated petroleum
and petroleum refining without extraction (ISI codes
3242–3244)

16 Real estate (ISI code 5310)

Section A — INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION, TOTAL SALES, AND EMPLOYEES OF FULLY CONSOLIDATED U.S. AFFILIATE
19 Major activities of fully consolidated U.S. affiliate — For an inactive affiliate, select the activities based on its last active period;
for “start-ups,” select the intended activities.

Check all boxes that describe a major activity of the fully consolidated U.S. affiliate
1072 1

1
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
2

Producer of goods
Seller of goods the U.S. affiliate does not produce
Producer or distributor of information
Provider of services
Real estate
Other — Specify

20 What is (are) the major product(s) and/or service(s) resulting from this (these) activities? If a product, also state what is done to it,
i.e., whether it is mined, manufactured, sold at wholesale, transported, packaged, etc. (For example, “manufactured widgets.”)
1163 0

BEA USE ONLY
1200
1 2 3 4 5
1201
1 2 3 4 5

1202
1 2 3 4 5
1203
1 2 3 4 5

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 6

Part II - Financial and Operating Data of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION, TOTAL SALES, AND EMPLOYEES OF FULLY CONSOLIDATED U.S. AFFILIATE
Enter the 4-digit International Surveys Industry (ISI) code(s) and the sales and employment associated with each code in items 21 through 30 .
Book publishers, printers, and real estate investment trusts — See instructions 21– 34 on page 27.
Holding company (ISI code 5512) is often an invalid industry classification for a conglomerate. A conglomerate must determine its industry
code based on the activities of the fully consolidated domestic U.S. business enterprise.
Column 1 – ISI Code — See the Summary of Industry Classifications on page 20. For a full explanation of each code, see the Guide to Industry
Classifications for International Surveys, 2017 located at www.bea.gov/naics2017. For an inactive affiliate, base the industry classification(s) on its last
active period. For “start-ups” with no sales, show the intended activities. Holding company (ISI code 5512) is often an invalid industry classification for
a conglomerate. A conglomerate must determine its industry code based on the activities of the fully consolidated domestic U.S. business enterprise.
Column 2 – Sales

INCLUDE

EXCLUDE

• Total sales or gross operating revenues, excluding sales taxes,
returns, allowances, and discounts.

• Investment gains and losses reported in item 37 .

• Fees and commissions

• Excise taxes levied directly on manufacturers, wholesalers, and
retailers.

• Sales or consumption taxes levied directly on the consumer.

• Revenues generated during the year from the operations of a
discontinued business segment.

• Gains or losses from DISPOSALS of discontinued operations and
gains and losses from derivative instruments (report as certain
gains (losses) in item 37 ).

• ONLY finance and insurance companies and units should report
dividends and interest. Companies involved with repos and
reverse repos – see instructions 21–34 on page 27.

• Dividends and interest earned by non-finance and non-insurance
companies and units (report as other income in item 38 ).

• Total income of holding companies (ISI code 5512) as reported in
item 39 .

Column 3 – Number of employees — INCLUDE all full-time and part-time employees on the payroll at the end of FY 2020 associated with each ISI code.
EXCLUDE contract workers and other workers not carried on the payroll of this U.S. affiliate. If employment at the end of FY 2020 was unusually high or low
because of temporary factors (e.g., a strike), give the number of employees that reflects normal operations. If the business enterprise’s activity involves large
seasonal variations, give the average number of employees for FY 2020. If precise figures are not available, provide your best estimate.
NOTE: For most U.S. affiliates, the employment distribution in column 3 is
not proportional to the sales distribution in column 2. Therefore, do
not distribute employment by industry in proportion to sales by industry.

ISI code
(1)
1164 1

$ Bil.

Mil.

Thous.

21 Enter code of industry with largest sales................................................................
1165 1

Dols.

000

22 Enter code of industry with 2nd largest sales.........................................................
1166 1

23 Enter code of industry with 3rd largest sales..........................................................
1167 1

24 Enter code of industry with 4th largest sales..........................................................
1168 1

25 Enter code of industry with 5th largest sales..........................................................
1169 1

26 Enter code of industry with 6th largest sales..........................................................
1170 1

27 Enter code of industry with 7th largest sales..........................................................
1171 1

28 Enter code of industry with 8th largest sales..........................................................
1176 1

Number of employees
associated with each ISI
code in column 1
(3)

Sales
(2)
3
3

000
2

29 Enter code of industry with 9th largest sales..........................................................

000

30 Enter code of industry with 10th largest sales........................................................

000

1177 1 2

3
1178 3

31 Number of employees of administrative offices and other auxiliary units that service more than one industry

— INCLUDE employees at corporate headquarters, central administrative, and regional
offices, and operating units
that provide administration and management or support services (such as accounting, data processing, legal, research
and development and testing, and warehousing) to more than one U.S. industry. EXCLUDE employees that provide
administration and management or support services for only one industry. Instead, report such employees in
column 3 of items 21 through 30 .............................................................................................................................................

1172 2

32 Sales and employees accounted for — Sum of items 21 through 31 ....................................

1173 2

33 Sales and employees not accounted for above — Items 21 through 30 must all
have entries if amounts are entered in this item........................................................................
1174 1

34 Total sales or gross operating revenues (excluding sales
taxes) and employees — Sum of items 32 and 33 , columns 2 and 3.......................
FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 7

000
3

000

Part II - Financial and Operating Data of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
Section B — INCOME STATEMENT
$ Bil.

INCOME

Mil.

Thous. Dols.

2149 1

35 Total sales or gross operating revenues, excluding sales taxes — Must equal item 34 column 2.............................. 000
36 Income from equity investments in unconsolidated U.S. and foreign business enterprises — INCLUDE here 2150 1
the equity in earnings, during the reporting period, for all U.S. and foreign investments that are unconsolidated and
reported in item 61 . INCLUDE dividends received for investments that are owned less than 20 percent and not
subject to FASB ASC 320 (formerly FAS 115). EXCLUDE fair value gains and losses for investments that would
otherwise be accounted for under the equity method. Report such fair value gains (losses) in item 37 . Total should
equal to the sum of a. and b. below....................................................................................................................................... 000
2150 2

a. Income from equity investments in unconsolidated U.S. business enterprises........................................................... 000
2150 3

b. Income from equity investments in all foreign business enterprises....................................................................... 000
37 Certain gains (losses) — READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY as this item is based on economic accounting
concepts and may, in some cases, deviate from accounting principles.
Report gross amount before income tax effect. Include tax effect in item 41 .

2151 1

Report gains (losses) resulting from:
a. Extraordinary, unusual, or infrequently occurring items that are material. INCLUDE losses from accidental
damage or disasters, after estimated insurance reimbursement. INCLUDE other material items, including write-ups,
writedowns, and writeoffs of tangible and intangible assets; gains (losses) from the sale or other dispositions of
capital assets. EXCLUDE legal judgments (report legal judgments against the U.S. affiliate in item 40 ; report legal
settlements in favor of the U.S. affiliate in item 38 );
b. Restructuring. INCLUDE restructuring costs that reflect writedowns or writeoffs of assets or liabilities. EXCLUDE
actual payments, or charges to establish reserves for future actual payments, such as for severance pay, and fees
to accountants, lawyers, consultants, or other contractors. Report them in item 40 ;
c. Sales or disposition of land, other property, plant, and equipment, or other assets, and FASB ASC 360
(formerly FAS 144) impairment losses. EXCLUDE gains (losses) from the sale of inventory assets in the ordinary
course of trade or business. Real estate companies, see special instructions IV.37 on page 27;
d. Sales or other disposition of financial assets, including investment securities; gains (losses) related to fair value
accounting; FASB ASC 320 (formerly FAS 115) holding gains (losses) on securities classified as trading
securities; FASB ASC 320 impairment losses; and gains and losses derived from derivative instruments;
e. Goodwill impairment as defined by FASB ASC 350 (formerly FAS 142);
f. DISPOSALS of discontinued operations. EXCLUDE income (loss) from the operations of a discontinued
segment. Report such income (loss) as part of your income from operations in items 21 through 34 ;
g. Remeasurement of the U.S. affiliate’s foreign-currency-denominated assets and liabilities due to changes in
foreign exchange rates during the reporting period;
h. The cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle; and
i. The cumulative effect of a change in the estimate of stock compensation forfeitures under FASB ASC 718
(formerly FAS 123(R))...................................................................................................................................................... 000
38 Other income — Legal settlements in favor of the U.S. affiliate, dividends and interest earned by non-finance and
non-insurance companies and units, non-operating, and other income not included above. — Specify major items

2152 1

000
2153 1

39 Total income — Sum of items 35 through 38 ................................................................................................................... 000
2154 1

COSTS AND EXPENSES
40 Cost of goods sold or services rendered, and selling, general, and administrative expenses — Operating
expenses that relate to sales or gross operating revenues, item 35 , and selling, general, and administrative
expenses. INCLUDE production royalty payments to governments, their subdivisions and agencies, and to other
persons. INCLUDE legal judgments against the U.S. affiliate. INCLUDE depletion charges representing the
amortization of the actual cost of capital assets, but EXCLUDE all other depletion charges. EXCLUDE goodwill

impairment as defined by FASB ASC 350 (formerly FAS 142). Report such impairment losses in item 37 . For

guidance on restructuring costs, see item 37b .................................................................................................................... 000
2156 1

41 Income taxes — Provision for U.S. Federal, state, and local income taxes. INCLUDE the income tax effect of certain
gains (losses) reported in item 37 . EXCLUDE production royalty payments....................................................................... 000
42 Other costs and expenses not included above. Include noncontrolling interests in profits and losses (FASB
ASC 810 (formerly FAS 160)). — Specify major items

2157 1

000
2158 1

43 Total costs and expenses — Sum of items 40 through 42 ............................................................................................. 000
2159 1

NET INCOME
44 Net income (loss) after provision for U.S. Federal, state, and local income taxes — Item 39 minus item 43 ........... 000
FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 8

Part II - Financial and Operating Data of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
Section C — DISTRIBUTION OF SALES OR GROSS OPERATING REVENUES
Distribute sales or gross operating revenues among three categories — sales of goods, sales of services, and investment income. For
the purpose of this distribution, “goods” are normally outputs that are tangible and “services” are normally outputs that are intangible. When a sale
consists of both goods and services and cannot be unbundled (i.e., the goods and services are not separately billed), classify the sales as goods or
services based on whichever accounts for a majority of the value.
NOTE — Before completing this section, please see the instructions 46 through 48 starting on page 27.
Insurance companies also see page 29, V.A. for special instructions.
Utilities and oil & gas producers and distributors — To the extent feasible, revenues are to be allocated between sales of goods and sales of
services. Revenues earned from the sale of a product (e.g., electricity, natural gas, oil, water, etc.) are to be reported as sales of goods. Revenues
earned from the distribution or transmission of a product (e.g., fees received for the use of transmission lines, pipelines, etc.) are to be reported as
sales of services.
$ Bil. Mil. Thous. Dols.
2243 1

45 Total sales or gross operating revenues, excluding sales taxes —
000
Equals sum of items 46 through 48 ....................................................................................................................................
2244 1

46 Sales of goods......................................................................................................................................................................
000
2245 1

47 Investment income included in gross operating revenues. Include ALL interest and dividends generated by
000
finance and insurance subsidiaries or units...........................................................................................................................
2246 1

000
48 Sales of services, total — Sum of items 49 and 50 .........................................................................................................
2247 1

000
To U.S. persons or entities.............................................................................................................................................

000
To foreign persons or entities........................................................................................................................................

2257 1

Section D — OTHER FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

$ Bil.

Mil.

Thous. Dols.

2400 1

51 Interest income from all sources (including foreign parents and affiliates), after deduction of taxes withheld
000
by the payer. Do not net against interest expense (item 52 )..............................................................................................
2401 1

52 Interest expense plus interest capitalized, paid or due to all payees (including to foreign parents and
000
affiliates), before deduction of U.S. tax withheld by the affiliate. Do not net against interest income (item 51 )...........
2402 1

53 Other taxes and non-tax payments (EXCLUDING income and payroll taxes) — Amount paid or accrued for the
year, net of refunds or credits, to U.S. Federal, state, and local governments, their subdivisions and agencies for —
• Sales, consumption, and excise taxes collected by the affiliate on goods and services sold
• Premium taxes paid by insurance companies
• Property and other taxes on the value of assets and capital
• Any remaining taxes (other than income and payroll taxes)
• Non-tax liabilities (other than for purchases of goods and services) such as —
- Import and export duties
- Production royalties for natural resources
- License fees, fines, penalties, and similar items

NOTE: The amount reported in this item SHOULD NOT EQUAL the amount reported in item 41 ................................. 000
2253 1

54 Employee compensation — Base compensation on payroll records. Employee compensation must cover
compensation charged as an expense on the income statement, charged to inventories, or capitalized during
the reporting period. INCLUDE wages and salaries and employee benefit plans. EXCLUDE compensation related

to activities of a prior period, such as compensation capitalized or charged to inventories in prior periods. EXCLUDE
compensation of contract workers and other workers not carried on the payroll of this U.S. affiliate. See instructions
54 on page 28....................................................................................................................................................................... 000
2404 1

BEA USE ONLY

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 9

Part II – Financial and Operating Data of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
Section E – RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

$ Bil.

Mil.

Thous. Dols.

2403 1

55a Research and development (R&D) performed BY the U.S. affiliate — Research and development (R&D)
comprise creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge and to devise new
applications of available knowledge. This includes a) activities aimed at acquiring new knowledge or understanding
without specific immediate commercial applications or uses (basic research); b) activities aimed at solving a specific
problem or meeting a specific commercial objective (applied research); and c) systematic work, drawing on research
and practical experience and resulting in additional knowledge, which is directed to producing new products or
processes or to improving existing products or processes (development). R&D includes both direct costs such as
salaries of researchers as well as administrative and overhead costs clearly associated with the company’s R&D.
See instruction 55a on page 28 for more details..................................................................................................................

55b R&D employees — Report the number of employees engaged in R&D in the United States (including the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, and all territories and possessions of the United States) during the fiscal year that ended in
calendar year 2020.

000

Number of
R&D Employees

2409
R&D employees are scientists, engineers, and other professional and technical employees, including managers,
engaged in scientific or engineering R&D work, at a level that requires knowledge of physical, social, or life sciences,
engineering, mathematics, statistics, or computer science at least equivalent to that acquired through completion
of a four-year college course with a major in one of these fields (i.e., training may be either formal or by experience)............
2410

BEA USE ONLY

Section F – INSURANCE INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES
Insurance related activities are covered by industry codes 5243 (insurance carriers, except direct life insurance carriers) and 5249 (direct life
insurance carriers).
56 Of the total sales and gross operating revenues reported in item 34 , column 2,
were any of the sales or revenues generated by insurance related activities?
1180 1

Yes — Answer items 57 and 58

1 2

No — Skip to item 59

$ Bil.

Mil.

Thous. Dols.

1181 1

57 Premiums earned — Report premiums, gross of commissions, included in revenue during the reporting year.
Calculate as direct premiums written (including renewals) net of cancellations, plus reinsurance premiums
assumed, minus reinsurance premiums ceded, plus unearned premiums at the beginning of the year, minus
unearned premiums at the end of the year. EXCLUDE all annuity premiums. Also EXCLUDE premiums and policy
fees related to universal and adjustable life, variable and interest-sensitive life, and variable-universal life policies..............

000

1182 1

58 Losses incurred — Report losses incurred for the insurance products covered by item 57 . EXCLUDE
loss adjustment expenses and losses that related to annuities. Also EXCLUDE losses related to universal and
adjustable life, variable and interest-sensitive life, and variable-universal life policies.

For property and casualty insurance, calculate as net losses paid during the reporting year, minus net unpaid
losses at the beginning of the year, plus net unpaid losses at the end of the year. In the calculation of net losses,
INCLUDE losses on reinsurance assumed from other companies and EXCLUDE losses on reinsurance ceded to
other companies. Unpaid losses include both case reserves and losses incurred but not reported.
For life insurance, losses reflect policy claims on reinsurance assumed or on primary insurance sold, minus losses
recovered from reinsurance ceded, adjusted for changes in claims due, unpaid, and in course of settlement......................

1189 1

BEA USE ONLY

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 10

000

Part II – Financial and Operating Data of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
Section G — BALANCE SHEET

Close FY 2020

NOTE — Insurance companies see page 29, V.A., for special instructions.

Close FY 2019
(Unrestated)

(1)

$ Bil.

ASSETS

Mil.

(2)

Thous. Dols. $ Bil.

2101 1

Thous. Dols.

59 Cash and cash equivalents — INCLUDE deposits in financial institutions and other
cash items and short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible
to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant
risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. EXCLUDE overdrafts
as negative cash, instead report overdrafts in 65 ..............................................................................

000

2104 1

000
2

60 Inventories — Land development companies, exclude land held for resale (include in
item 63 ); finance and insurance companies, exclude inventories of marketable
securities (include in item 63 )..................................................................................................

000

2106 1

000
2

61 Equity investment in unconsolidated U.S. and foreign business enterprises —
Include all ownership in unconsolidated business enterprises using the equity method.
Include ALL foreign affiliates using the equity method (even if majority owned) The total
should equal the sum of a. and b. below....................................................................................

000

2006 1

000

a. Equity investment in unconsolidated U.S. business enterprises.......................................
2007 1

b. Equity investment in all foreign business enterprises......................................................

000

62 Property, plant, and equipment, net — Include land, timber, mineral rights, structures,
machinery, equipment, special tools, deposit containers, construction in progress, and
capitalized tangible and intangible exploration and development costs of the affiliate,
net of accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization. Include items on finance
leases from others, per FASB ASC 842, and property you own that you lease to others
under operating leases. Exclude all other types of intangible assets, and land held for
resale. (An unincorporated affiliate should include items owned by its foreign parent but
which are in the affiliate’s possession in the United States whether or not carried on the
affiliate’s own books or records.)...............................................................................................

000

63 Other assets — Include all other assets not included above...................................................

000

2107 1

000
2

000

2110 1
2109 1

000
2

000

64 Total assets — Sum of items 59 through 63 ........................................................................

000

2114 1

LIABILITIES

Mil.

000
2

000

65 Total liabilities ........................................................................................................................

000

66 Has fair value accounting been applied to, or elected for, any asset or liability items
included in the amounts reported on the balance sheet above?
2112 1

Yes — Report the total amount of the fair value assets
and liabilities in the space provided below.

No — Skip to item 67

Close FY 2020

Close FY 2019
(Unrestated)
(2)

(1)

$ Bil.

Mil.

Thous. Dols. $ Bil.

2115 1

Mil.

Thous. Dols.

Of the property, plant, and equipment reported in item 62 ,
what amount was reported using fair value accounting?............................................................

000

2123 1

000

Of the total assets reported in item 64 , what amount was
reported using fair value accounting?.........................................................................................

000

2597 1

000

Of the total liabilities reported in item 65 , what amount was
reported using fair value accounting?.........................................................................................

000

BANKING INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES
67 Of the total sales and gross operating revenues reported in item 34 , column 2, were any of the sales or revenues generated by
depository or non-depository banking activities (industry codes 5221 or 5229)?
Banking activities
2113 1 1
Yes — Report the U.S. affiliate’s values for the following
in industry codes
12
Total
5221 or 5229
All other

No — Skip to item 68
(1)

$ Bil.

Assets:

Mil.

(2)

Thous. Dols. $ Bil.

2124 1

Total of all assets reported in the balance sheet
above (column 1 total equals item 64 column 1)................

Mil.

(3)

Thous. Dols. $ Bil.

Mil.

Thous. Dols.

2125 1

000

Liabilities: Total of all liabilities reported in the balance sheet

above (column 1 total equals item 65 column 1)................

2126 1

000

Interest income: Column 1 total equals item 51 ....................................

000

2127 1

Interest expense: Column 1 total equals item 52 ..................................
FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 11

000

Part II – Financial and Operating Data of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
Section G — BALANCE SHEET — Continued

OWNERS’ EQUITY

Close FY 2020

Close FY 2019

(1)

(Unrestated)
(2)

$ Bil.

Mil.

Thous.

Dols. $ Bil.

2116 1
68 Capital stock and additional paid-in capital — Common and preferred, voting and
non-voting capital stock and additional paid-in capital..............................................................

000

69 Retained earnings (deficit)....................................................................................................

000

2117 1
2118 1

(

70 Treasury stock........................................................................................................................

Accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)

Mil.

Thous. Dols. $ Bil.

71a Translation adjustment...................
2128

000

) 000

) 000 (

Mil.

Thous. Dols.

000

71b All other components......................

Dols.

(Unrestated)
(2)

(1)

$ Bil.

Thous.

Close FY 2019

Close FY 2020

2122

Mil.

000

000
2129 1

71c Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) —
Equals sum of 71a and 71b .....................................................................................................
72 Other — Include noncontrolling interest per FASB ASC 810 (formerly FAS 160).
Specify major items

000

2119 1

73 Total owners’ equity — Sum of items 68 , 69 , 70 , 71c and 72 for
2120 1
incorporated U.S. affiliates and those unincorporated U.S. affiliates for which this
breakdown is available. For those unincorporated U.S. affiliates that cannot provide a
breakdown for items 68 through 72 , report total owners’ equity in this item. For both
incorporated and unincorporated U.S. affiliates, total owners’ equity must equal item
64 (total assets) minus item 65 (total liabilities).....................................................................

000

Section H — CHANGE IN RETAINED EARNINGS (DEFICIT) — If retained earnings (deficit) is not
shown as a separate account, show change in total owners’ equity.
74 Balance, close FY ended in 2019, before restatement due to a change in the entity (e.g., due to mergers,
$ Bil.
acquisitions, divestitures, etc.) or due to a change in accounting methods or principles, if any — Enter
2211 1
amount from item 69 , column 2; if retained earnings (deficit) is not shown as a separate account, enter
amount from item 73 , column 2.........................................................................................................................................
75 Increase (decrease) due to restatement of FY 2019 closing balance. — Specify reason(s) for change

2212

2213

Mil.

Thous. Dols.

000

76 FY 2019 closing balance as restated — Item 74 plus item 75 .....................................................................................

000

2214

77 Net income (loss) — Enter amount from item 44 ............................................................................................................ 000
2215

78 Dividends or earnings distributed — Incorporated affiliates, enter amount of dividends declared, inclusive of
taxes withheld, out of current- or prior-period income, on common and preferred stock, excluding stock dividends.
Unincorporated affiliates, enter amount of current- or prior-period net income distributed to owners.................................
2217

000

79 Other increases (decreases) in retained earnings (deficit), including stock or liquidating dividends, or in
total owners’ equity if retained earnings (deficit) is not shown as a separate account, including capital
contributions (return of capital). — Specify

000

2218 1
80 FY 2020 closing balance — Sum of items 76 , 77 , and 79 minus item 78 ; also must equal item 69 ,
column 1, if retained earnings (deficit) is shown as a separate account, or item 73 , column 1, if retained
earnings (deficit) is not shown as a separate account.........................................................................................................

000

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 12

Part II – Financial and Operating Data of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
Section I — LAND AND OTHER PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
Include all land and other property, plant, and equipment carried anywhere on the U.S. affiliate’s balance sheet, whether or not with the intent of
holding and actively using the asset in the operating activity of the business. Land refers to any part of the earth’s surface, including land being
leased from others under finance leases. Other property, plant, and equipment includes: timber, mineral and like rights owned; all structures,
machinery, equipment, special tools, and other depreciable property; construction in progress; capitalized tangible and intangible exploration and
development costs; and the capitalized value of timber, mineral, and like rights leased by the affiliate from others under finance leases. On the
balance sheet these items may be carried in property, plant, and equipment (item 62 ) or in other assets (item 63 ).
Exclude items that the affiliate has sold on a finance lease basis.

CHANGE FROM FY 2019 CLOSING BALANCES TO FY 2020 CLOSING BALANCES

$ Bil.

Mil.

Thous. Dols.

2386 1

81 Net book value of all land and other property, plant, and equipment at close of FY 2019 wherever carried
on the balance sheet, before restatement due to a change in entity.....................................................................................

CHANGES DURING FY 2020
82 Give amount by which the net book value in item 81 would be restated due to:

If a decrease, put amount in parentheses.

000

2387 1

• Change in entity (i.e., due to the acquisition of, or merger with, another company, or the divestiture of a
subsidiary, change in fiscal year, etc.).................................................................................................................................

2385 1

• Change in accounting methods or principles................................................................................................................

000
000

Is change in accounting method due in whole or in part to implementation of FASB ASC 842?
2385

1 Yes, in whole
2■

2 Yes, in part
2■

3 No
2 ■

EXPENDITURES — Include all purchases by, or transfers to, the U.S. affiliate of land and other property, plant, and equipment. Exclude all changes
caused by a change in the entity or by a change in accounting methods or principles during FY 2020 (include such changes in item 82 ).
Expenditures by the U.S. affiliate for, or transfers into the U.S. affiliate of,

2388 1

Land — Report expenditures for land except land held for resale.
Report land held for sale in item 87 ............................................................................................................................. 000

Mineral rights, including timber — Report capitalized expenditures to acquire mineral and timber rights.
Exclude capitalized expenditures for the exploration and development of natural resources. Report them
in item 85 ...................................................................................................................................................................... 000

Property, plant, and equipment other than land and mineral rights (Exclude changes due to mergers and
acquisitions. Report them in item 82 .)..........................................................................................................................

000

86 Annual depreciation and depletion...................................................................................................................................

000

2389 1

2390 1

2392 1
2394 1

87 Net book value of sales, retirements, impairments, or transfers out of assets defined for inclusion in this
section, and other decreases (increases) — INCLUDE expenditures for land held for sale. EXCLUDE amounts
relating to the divestiture of U.S. affiliates. Report them in item 82 .....................................................................................

000

BALANCES AT CLOSE OF FY 2020
2395 1

88 Net book value of land and other property, plant, and equipment at close of FY 2020 —
Sum of items 81 through 85 , minus sum of items 86 and 87 ........................................................................................

000

2396 1

89 Accumulated depreciation and depletion........................................................................................................................

000

2397 1

90 Gross book value of all land and other property, plant, and equipment at close of FY 2020, wherever
carried on the balance sheet — Sum of items 88 and 89 .................................................................................................

ADDENDA

000

2356 1

91 Gross book value of land owned — The portion of item 90 that is the gross book value of land owned. Include

undeveloped and agricultural land, and also the value of land you own that is located under developed properties
such as office buildings, apartment buildings, retail buildings, etc. If your accounting and reporting systems do not
separately account for land and building components when buildings sit upon land that you own, provide your best
estimate of the gross book value of the land owned............................................................................................................. 000
2398 1

92 Expensed petroleum and mining exploration and development expenditures — Include expensed
expenditures to acquire or lease mineral rights. EXCLUDE expenditures that are capitalized and expenditures
made in prior years that are reclassified in the current year; such expenditures are considered to be expenditures
only in the year when initially expended...............................................................................................................................
2399 1

BEA USE ONLY
FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 13

000

Part II – Financial and Operating Data of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
Section J — U.S. TRADE IN GOODS BY U.S. AFFILIATE ON A SHIPPED BASIS
Report the value of goods exported and imported by the U.S. affiliate during the fiscal year that ended in calendar year 2020.
• Report on a SHIPPED basis, rather than a CHARGED basis. The shipped basis tracks the physical movement of goods. However, U.S. affiliates
normally keep their accounting records on a “charged basis,” which may not reflect the physical movement of goods. The “charged” basis may be
used if there is no material difference between it and the “shipped” basis. However, if there is a material difference, the “shipped” basis must be used
or adjustments must be made to the “charged” basis data to approximate a “shipped” basis. Additional instructions regarding the shipped basis are
available on page 28.
• Timing — Only include goods actually shipped during FY 2020 regardless of when the goods were charged or consigned.
• f.a.s. valuation — Value goods f.a.s. (free alongside ship) at the port of exit.
• INCLUDE costs incurred up to the point of loading the goods aboard the export carrier at the port of exit, including the selling price at the interior
point of shipment (or cost if not sold), packaging cost, and inland freight and insurance.
• EXCLUDE all subsequent costs such as loading costs, U.S. and foreign import duties, and freight and insurance from the port of exit to the port of entry.

INCLUDE:
• Capital goods (e.g., manufacturing equipment used to produce goods
for sale).
• Consigned goods — Include when shipped or received even though
they are not normally recorded as sales or purchases, or entered into
intercompany accounts when initially consigned.
• Electricity, water, and natural gas — Report ONLY the value of the
product (electricity, water, and natural gas). DO NOT report the service
value (transmission and distribution).
• General use computer software — Include packaged general use
computer software at full transaction value (including both the value
of the media on which the software is recorded and the value of the
information contained on the media).

EXCLUDE:
• Services
• In-transit goods — These are goods that are en route from one
foreign country to another via the United States (such as from
Canada to Mexico via the United States), and goods en route from
one part of the United States to another part via a foreign country
(such as from Alaska to Washington State via Canada).
• Ships, planes, railroad rolling stock, and trucks that were temporarily
outside the United States transporting people or merchandise.
• Customized software designed to meet the needs of a specific
user. This type of software is considered a service and should not be
reported as trade in goods.

• Software transmitted electronically rather than physically shipped.
• Goods shipped by an independent carrier or a freight forwarder to or • Negotiated licensing fees for software to use on networks.
from the United States at the expense of a U.S. affiliate are, respectively,
imports or exports of the U.S. affiliate.
$ Bil.

2502
Exports by U.S. affiliate to foreign persons or entities
Shipped by U.S. affiliate to foreign persons (valued f.a.s. U.S. port) — Sum of items 94 through 96 ................................

Mil.

Thous. Dols.

Shipped to affiliated foreign group(s) (see illustration below)........................................................................................

000

Shipped to foreign affiliates owned by this U.S. affiliate (see illustration for item 7 on page 3).....................................

000

Shipped to all other foreign persons or entities.............................................................................................................

000

2514 1
2526 1
2527 1
2515 1

Imports by U.S. affiliate from foreign persons or entities
Shipped to U.S. affiliate by foreign persons (valued f.a.s. foreign port) — Sum of items 98 through 100 ...........................

000

2534 1

Shipped by affiliated foreign group(s) (see illustration below).......................................................................................
2535 1

Shipped by foreign affiliates owned by this U.S. affiliate (see illustration for item 7 on page 3)....................................

100

Shipped by all other foreign persons or entities............................................................................................................

2536 1

000

EXAMPLE OF AFFILIATED FOREIGN GROUP
Affiliated foreign group
Foreign company X
>50 percent

>50 percent

Foreign parent

Foreign company Y

>50 percent
Foreign company Z

Foreign
United States

10 to 100 percent
U.S. affiliate

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 14

Affiliated foreign group means (i) the foreign parent, (ii)
any foreign person, proceeding up the foreign parent’s
ownership chain, which owns more than 50 percent of the
person below it, up to and including that person which is
not owned more than 50 percent by another foreign person,
and (iii) any foreign person, proceeding down the ownership
chain(s) of each of these members, which is owned more
than 50 percent by the person above it. (“Person” is used in
the broad legal sense and includes companies.)

Part II – Financial and Operating Data of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
Section K — SCHEDULE OF EMPLOYMENT AND PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, BY LOCATION
Include those U.S. business enterprises that are fully consolidated into the reporting U.S. affiliate.
Location of employees or of an asset is the U.S. state, territory, or possession in which the person is permanently employed, or in which the land or
other property, plant and equipment is physically located and to which property taxes, if any, on such assets are paid. Do not include employees of
foreign business enterprises or operations, whether incorporated or unincorporated.
Column 4 — INCLUDE all employees on the payrolls of operating manufacturing plants in the state. INCLUDE administrative office and other
auxiliary employees located at an operating plant and who serve only that plant. EXCLUDE administrative office and other auxiliary employees who
serve more than one plant.
Column 5 — INCLUDE land and other property, plant, and equipment, whether carried as investments, in fixed asset accounts, or in other balance
sheet accounts. INCLUDE land held for resale, held for investment purposes, and all other land owned. INCLUDE property you own that you lease
to others under operating leases. INCLUDE land and other property, plant, and equipment on finance leases from others, but EXCLUDE property
on finance leases to others.
Item 155 —U.S. offshore oil and gas sites: Report employment on offshore oil and gas sites located within U.S. claimed territorial waters but
NOT located within the territorial waters of a specific state. Employment on offshore oil and gas sites located within the territorial waters of a specific
state should be reported in that state. For offshore oil and gas sites located outside U.S. claimed territorial waters, see item 157c below.
Item 157 —Foreign: Except as noted below, do not include employees located outside of the United States in item 157 or elsewhere in Section K.
a. Employees normally located in the United States who are on a temporary duty assignment outside of the country for one year or less should be
reported in the U.S. state, territory, or possession where they are normally located.
b. Employees normally located in the United States who are on a duty assignment outside of the country for more than one year and carried on
the payroll of the domestic U.S. affiliate should be reported in item 15 7 . Exclude these employees from the BE-15 report if they are carried on a
foreign payroll.
c. Use item 15 7 line to report employment at oil and gas sites that (1) are owned by the U.S. affiliate; (2) are located outside of U.S. claimed
territorial waters; (3) are not incorporated in a foreign country; (4) are not organized as a branch; and (5) do not otherwise have a physical
presence in a foreign country as evidenced by plant and equipment or employees located in a foreign country.
d. Real estate located outside the United States that is owned by the U.S. affiliate and carried on its books but which generates no revenues for,
or reimbursements to, the U.S. affiliate should be reported in item 15 7 . Real estate located outside the United States that generates revenues
for, or reimbursements to, the U.S. affiliate, or that facilitates the foreign operations of the U.S. affiliate is a foreign subsidiary and should not be
consolidated on this BE-15 report.
e. Machinery and similar equipment located outside the United States at a foreign operating location or subsidiary that are owned by the foreign
operating location or subsidiary should not be consolidated on this BE-15 report. However, if such machinery or similar equipment are owned
by the U.S. affiliate and loaned or leased (under an operating lease) to the foreign operating location or subsidiary, then it should be included in
item 157 “foreign.”
f. Use the category “foreign” to report communication channels that physically exist (i.e., are tangible) that are (1) located outside of the United
States, (2) owned by the U.S. affiliate, and (3) carried directly on the U.S. affiliate’s books (i.e., not carried on the books of a foreign affiliate
owned by the U.S. affiliate). Report satellites in item 158 .
Item 158 — Other property, plant, and equipment — Use this line to report (1) items that frequently switch locations such as aircraft, railroad
rolling stock, ships of U.S. registry, and vehicles engaged in interstate transportation, (2) items such as pipelines, fiber optic cable, power lines, etc.,
located in more than one state that cannot be allocated among specific states, (3) satellites, underwater cable, and other communication channels
that are not located in a specific state, (4) property leased to others, except land or buildings, under operating leases, and (5) items owned by an
unincorporated U.S. affiliate’s foreign parent but which are in the U.S. affiliate’s possession in the United States.

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 15

Part II – Financial and Operating Data of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
Section K — SCHEDULE OF EMPLOYMENT AND PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, BY LOCATION

PLEASE REVIEW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 15.
Report all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars.

State
code

LOCATION

101 TOTAL – Sum of items 102
through 158 ............................
102 Alabama...................................
103 Alaska.......................................
104 Arizona.....................................
105 Arkansas..................................

(2)
2700
2701
2702
2703
2704

106 California..................................

2705

107 Colorado...................................

2706

108 Connecticut...............................
109 Delaware..................................
110 Florida......................................
111 Georgia.....................................
112 Hawaii.......................................
113 Idaho........................................
114 Illinois........................................
115 Indiana......................................
116 Iowa..........................................
117 Kansas......................................
118 Kentucky...................................

2707
2708
2709
2710
2711
2712
2713
2714
2715
2716
2717

119 Louisiana..................................

2718

120 Maine........................................

2719

121 Maryland...................................
122 Massachusetts..........................
123 Michigan...................................
124 Minnesota.................................
125 Mississippi................................
126 Missouri....................................
127 Montana....................................
128 Nebraska..................................
129 Nevada.....................................
130 New Hampshire........................
131 New Jersey...............................
132 New Mexico..............................

Number of employees at
the end of FY 2020

2720
2721
2722
2723
2724
2725
2726
2727
2728
2729
2730
2731

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

01
02
04
05
06
08
09
10
12
13
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35

Total equals item 34 column 3.

The portion of employees
in column (3) that are
manufacturing employees

(3)

(4)

Number

Total equals item 90.
(5)

Continue on the next page
FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Gross book value (historical cost) of
all land and other property, plant, and
equipment wherever carried on balance
sheet, FY 2020 closing balance.

Page 16

Bil.

Mil.

Thous.

Dols.

000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000

Part II – Financial and Operating Data of U.S. Affiliate – Continued
Section K — SCHEDULE OF EMPLOYMENT AND PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, BY LOCATION

PLEASE REVIEW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 15.
Report all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars.

Number of employees at
the end of FY 2020

State
code

LOCATION

(2)

133 New York...................................
134 North Carolina..........................
135 North Dakota............................
136 Ohio..........................................
137 Oklahoma.................................
138 Oregon......................................
139 Pennsylvania............................
140 Rhode Island............................
141 South Carolina..........................
142 South Dakota............................
143 Tennessee................................
144 Texas........................................
145 Utah..........................................
146 Vermont....................................
147 Virginia......................................
148 Washington...............................
149 West Virginia.............................
150 Wisconsin.................................
151 Wyoming...................................
152 District of Columbia..................
153 Puerto Rico...............................
154 Virgin Islands............................
155 U.S. offshore oil and gas
sites – See instruction 155
on page 15...............................
156 Other U.S. areas – includes
Guam, American Samoa,
and all other territories and
possessions not separately
listed.........................................
157 Foreign – See instruction 157
on page 15...............................
158 Other property, plant and
equipment – See instruction
158 on page 15........................

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

2
2732
2
2733
2
2734
2
2735
2
2736
2
2737
2
2738
2
2739
2
2740
2
2741
2
2742
2
2743
2
2744
2
2745
2
2746
2
2747
2
2748
2
2749
2
2750
2
2751
2
2752
2
2753

36
37
38
39
40
41
42
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
53
54
55
56
11
43
52

Total equals item 34 column 3.

The portion of employees
in column (3) that are
manufacturing employees

(3)

(4)

Number

Total equals item 90.
(5)

2756
2

Mil.

Thous.

Dols.

000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000

000
000

2758

Bil.

000

2754

2759

Gross book value (historical cost) of
all land and other property, plant, and
equipment wherever carried on balance
sheet, FY 2020 closing balance.

000

Page 17

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 18

BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

5133

5132

5131

5130

5129

5128

5127

5126

5125

5124

5123

5122

5121

5120

5119

5118

5117

5116

5115

5114

5113

5112

5111

If the affiliate has changed
since last report, please
select the reason. If it is
new, please select the
corresponding “new”
transaction type

__ __

(1)

Name of each U.S. business enterprise consolidated
(as represented in item 8 on page 3)

–

(2)

5110 1

–

Page number

(3)

Name of U.S. business enterprise which
holds the direct ownership interest in the
U.S. affiliate listed in column 1

Primary Employer Identification Number as shown
in item 3 on page 2.

Employer Identification
Number used to file
income and payroll taxes

–



Name of U.S. affiliate as shown on page 1

BEA USE ONLY

If you need to file more lines, use the separate overflow Supplement Excel file provided in eFile.

/ __ __ / __ __ __ __

If affiliate is new since
last report, please
enter the date the U.S.
business enterprise
was acquired or
established

Supplement A must be completed by a reporting affiliate that consolidates financial and operating data of any other U.S. business enterprises. The number of U.S. business enterprises listed below plus the reporting U.S. business enterprise must agree
with item 8 on page 3. Continue listing onto as many additional pages as necessary.

NOTE – If you filed a Supplement A or a computer printout of Supplement A with your 2019 BE-15 report, in lieu of
completing a new Supplement A, you may substitute a copy of that Supplement A or computer printout that
has been updated to show any additions, deletions, or other changes.

LIST OF ALL U.S. BUSINESS ENTERPRISES FULLY CONSOLIDATED INTO THE REPORTING U.S. AFFILIATE

BE-15 Supplement A (2020)

FORM
(REV. 10/2020)

(4)

Percent of direct voting
ownership that the entity
named in column 3 holds in
the entity named in column 1.
– Enter percent to nearest tenth.



OMB No. 0608-0034: Approval Expires 10/12/2021

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 19

BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

6221

6220

6219

6218

6217

6216

6215

6214

6213

6212

6211

BEA
USE
ONLY

If the affiliate has
changed since last
report, please select
the reason. If it is
new, please select
the corresponding
“new” transaction
type

__ __

/ __ __ / __ __ __ __

If affiliate is new since
last report, please
enter the date the U.S.
business enterprise
was acquired or
established

(2)

(1)
2

Address
Provide number, street, city, state,
and ZIP Code

Name of each U.S. affiliate in which a direct
interest is held but that is not listed in
Supplement A

Supplement B must be completed by a reporting affiliate which files a BE-15A and has a direct ownership interest in a U.S. affiliate(s) which is (are) not fully
consolidated. The number of U.S. affiliates listed below must agree with item 9 on page 4. Continue listing onto as many additional pages as necessary.

NOTE – If you filed a Supplement B or a computer printout of Supplement B with your 2019 BE-15 report, in lieu of completing a new Supplement B you
may substitute a copy of that Supplement B or computer printout that has been updated to show any additions, deletions, or other changes.

LIST OF ALL U.S. AFFILIATES IN WHICH THE REPORTING AFFILIATE (AS CONSOLIDATED) HAS A DIRECT
OWNERSHIP INTEREST BUT WHICH ARE NOT FULLY CONSOLIDATED

BE-15 Supplement B (2020)

FORM
(REV. 10/2020)

Page
number



–

(3)

Employer Identification
Number used to file income
and payroll taxes

(4)

Percent of direct voting
ownership interest that the fully
consolidated U.S. business
enterprise named on page 1,
holds in the entity named in
column 1.
– Enter percent to nearest tenth.

Name of U.S. affiliate as shown on page 1



OMB No. 0608-0034: Approval Expires 10/12/2021
BEA USE
ONLY

Summary of Industry Classifications – For a full explanation of each code see www.bea.gov/naics2017
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting
1110
1120
1130
1140
1150

Crop production
Animal production and aquaculture
Forestry and logging
Fishing, hunting, and trapping
Support activities for agriculture and forestry

Mining
2111
2121
2123
2124
2125
2126
2127
2132
2133

Oil and gas extraction
Coal
Nonmetallic minerals
Iron ores
Gold and silver ores
Copper, nickel, lead, and zinc ores
Other metal ores
Support activities for oil and gas operations
Support activities for mining, except
for oil and gas operations

Utilities
2211

2212
2213

Electric power generation,
transmission, and distribution
Natural gas distribution
Water, sewage, and other systems

Construction
2360 Construction of buildings
2370 Heavy and civil engineering construction
2380 Specialty trade contractors

Manufacturing
3111
3112
3113
3114

3115
3116
3117
3118
3119
3121
3122
3130
3140
3150
3160
3210
3221
3222
3231
3242
3243
3244

3251
3252

3253

3254
3255
3256

3259
3261
3262
3271
3272
3273
3274
3279
3311
3312
3313

3314

3315
3321
3322
3323
3324
3325
3326
3327

3328

3329
3331
3332
3333

Animal foods
Grain and oilseed milling
Sugar and confectionery products
Fruit and vegetable preserving and
specialty foods
Dairy products
Meat products
Seafood product preparation and packaging
Bakery products and tortillas
Other food products
Beverages
Tobacco
Textile mills
Textile product mills
Apparel
Leather and allied products
Wood products
Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills
Converted paper products
Printing and related support activities
Integrated petroleum refining and extraction
Petroleum refining without extraction
Asphalt and other petroleum and
coal products
Basic chemicals
Resins, synthetic rubbers, and artificial
and synthetic fibers and filaments
Pesticides, fertilizers, and other
agricultural chemicals
Pharmaceuticals and medicines
Paints, coatings, and adhesives
Soap, cleaning compounds, and
toilet preparations
Other chemical products and preparations
Plastics products
Rubber products
Clay products and refractories
Glass and glass products
Cement and concrete products
Lime and gypsum products
Other nonmetallic mineral products
Iron and steel mills
Steel products from purchased steel
Alumina and aluminum production
and processing
Nonferrous metal (except aluminum)
production and processing
Foundries
Forging and stamping
Cutlery and hand tools
Architectural and structural metals
Boilers, tanks, and shipping containers
Hardware
Spring and wire products
Machine shop products, turned products, and
screws, nuts, and bolts
Coating, engraving, heat treating,
and allied activities
Other fabricated metal products
Agriculture, construction, and mining machinery
Industrial machinery
Commercial and service industry machinery

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

3334

3335
3336

3339
3341
3342
3343
3344

3345

3346

3351
3352
3353
3359
3361
3362
3363
3364
3365
3366
3369
3370
3391
3399

Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning,
and commercial refrigeration equipment
Metalworking machinery
Engines, turbines, and power
transmission equipment
Other general purpose machinery
Computer and peripheral equipment
Communications equipment
Audio and video equipment
Semiconductors and other
electronic components
Navigational, measuring, electromedical,
and control instruments
Manufacturing and reproducing
magnetic and optical media
Electric lighting equipment
Household appliances
Electrical equipment
Other electrical equipment and components
Motor vehicles
Motor vehicle bodies and trailers
Motor vehicle parts
Aerospace products and parts
Railroad rolling stock
Ship and boat building
Other transportation equipment
Furniture and related products
Medical equipment and supplies
Other miscellaneous manufacturing

Wholesale Trade, Durable Goods
4231

4232
4233
4234

4235
4236

4237

4238
4239

Motor vehicle and motor vehicle
parts and supplies
Furniture and home furnishing
Lumber and other construction materials
Professional and commercial
equipment and supplies
Metal and mineral (except petroleum)
Household appliances, and electrical and
electronic goods
Hardware, and plumbing and heating
equipment and supplies
Machinery, equipment, and supplies
Miscellaneous durable goods

Wholesale Trade, Nondurable Goods
4241
4242
4243
4244
4245
4246
4247
4248
4249

Paper and paper product
Drugs and druggists’ sundries
Apparel, piece goods, and notions
Grocery and related product
Farm product raw material
Chemical and allied products
Petroleum and petroleum products
Beer, wine, and distilled alcoholic beverage
Miscellaneous nondurable goods

Wholesale Trade, Electronic Markets
and Agents And Brokers
4251 Wholesale electronic markets and

agents and brokers

Retail Trade
4410
4420
4431
4440

4450
4461
4471
4480
4510
4520
4530
4540

Motor vehicle and parts dealers
Furniture and home furnishings
Electronics and appliance
Building material and garden equipment
and supplies dealers
Food and beverage
Health and personal care
Gasoline stations
Clothing and clothing accessories
Sporting goods, hobby, book, and music
General merchandise
Miscellaneous store retailers
Non-store retailers

Transportation and Warehousing
4810
4821
4833
4839
4840
4850
4863

4868
4870
4880
4920
4932
4939

Air transportation
Rail transportation
Petroleum tanker operations
Other water transportation
Truck transportation
Transit and ground passenger transportation
Pipeline transportation of crude oil,
refined petroleum products, and natural gas
Other pipeline transportation
Scenic and sightseeing transportation
Support activities for transportation
Couriers and messengers
Petroleum storage for hire
Other warehousing and storage

Information
5111

5112
5121
5122

Newspaper, periodical, book, and
directory publishers
Software publishers
Motion picture and video industries
Sound recording industries
Page 20

5151
5152
5173
5174
5179
5182
5191

Radio and television broadcasting
Cable and other subscription programming
Wired and wireless telecommunications carriers
Satellite telecommunications
Other telecommunications
Data processing, hosting, and related services
Other information services

Finance and Insurance
5221 Depository credit intermediation (Banking)
5223 Activities related to credit intermediation
5224 Non-depository credit intermediation, except

branches and agencies
5229 Non-depository branches and agencies
5231 Securities and commodity contracts

intermediation and brokerage
5238 Other financial investment activities and
exchanges
5242 Agencies, brokerages, and other insurance

related activities
5243 Insurance carriers, except direct life insurance carriers
5249 Direct life insurance carriers
5252 Funds, trusts, and other finance vehicles

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
5310
5321
5329
5331

Real estate
Automotive equipment rental and leasing
Other rental and leasing services
Lessors of nonfinancial intangible assets,
except copyrighted works

Professional, Scientific, and Technical
Services
5411
5412

5413
5414
5415
5416

5417
5418
5419

Legal services
Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping,
and payroll services
Architectural, engineering, and related services
Specialized design services
Computer systems design and related services
Management, scientific, and technical
consulting services
Scientific research and development services
Advertising, public relations, and related services
Other professional, scientific, and
technical services

Management of Companies and Enterprises
5512 Holding companies, except bank holding
companies
5513 Corporate, subsidiary, and regional

management offices

Administrative and Support, Waste
Management, and Remediation Services
5611
5612
5613
5614
5615
5616
5617
5619
5620

Office administrative services
Facilities support services
Employment services
Business support services
Travel arrangement and reservation services
Investigation and security services
Services to buildings and dwellings
Other support services
Waste management and remediation services

Educational Services
6110 Educational services

Health Care and Social Assistance
6210
6220
6230
6240

Ambulatory health care services
Hospitals
Nursing and residential care facilities
Social assistance services

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
7110 Performing arts, spectator sports,

and related industries
7121 Museums, historical sites, and similar
institutions
7130 Amusement, gambling, and recreation
industries

Accommodation and Food Services
7210 Accommodation
7220 Food services and drinking places

Other Services
8110
8120
8130

Repair and maintenance
Personal and laundry services
Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional,
and similar organizations

Public Administration
9200 Public administration

2020 ANNUAL SURVEY OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
BE-15A INSTRUCTIONS
NOTE: Instructions in section IV are cross-referenced by number to the items located on pages 2 to 20.
Authority – This survey is being conducted pursuant to the
International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act (P.L. 94-472.,
90 Stat. 2059, 22 U.S.C. 3101-3108, as amended, hereinafter “the Act”),
and the filing of reports is MANDATORY pursuant to Section 5(b)(2) of
the Act (22 U.S.C. 3104).
A response is required from persons (in the broad sense, including
companies) subject to the reporting requirements of the BE-15 survey.
Also, persons contacted by BEA concerning their being subject to
reporting, either by sending them a report form or by written inquiry,
must respond pursuant to section 801.3 of 15 CFR, pt. 801 and the
survey instructions. This may be accomplished by completing and
submitting Form BE-15A, BE-15B, BE-15C, or BE-15 Claim For
Exemption, whichever is applicable, by May 31, 2021.
Penalties – Whoever fails to report shall be subject to a civil penalty
and to injunctive relief commanding such person to comply, or both.
Whoever willfully fails to report shall be fined and, if an individual, may
be imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. Any officer, director,
employee, or agent of any corporation who knowingly participates
in such violations, upon conviction, may be punished by a like fine,
imprisonment or both (22 U.S.C. 3105). The civil penalties are subject to
inflationary adjustments. Those adjustments are found in 15 C.F.R. 6.3.

Foreign ownership interest – All direct and indirect lines of
ownership held by a foreign person in a given U.S. business enterprise
must be summed to determine if the enterprise is a U.S. affiliate of the
foreign person for purposes of reporting.
Indirect ownership interest in a U.S. business enterprise is
the product of the direct ownership percentage of the foreign parent in
the first U.S. business enterprise in the ownership chain multiplied by that
first enterprise’s direct ownership percentage in the second U.S. business
enterprise, multiplied by each succeeding direct ownership percentage of
each other intervening U.S. business enterprise in the ownership chain
between the foreign parent and the given U.S. business enterprise.
Example: In the diagram below, foreign person A owns 100% of the
voting stock of U.S. affiliate B; U.S. affiliate B owns 50% of the voting stock
of U.S. affiliate C; and U.S. affiliate C owns 25% of the voting stock of U.S.
affiliate D. Therefore, U.S. affiliate B is 100% directly owned by foreign
person A; U.S. affiliate C is 50% indirectly owned by foreign person A; and
U.S. affiliate D is 12.5% indirectly owned by foreign person A.

Foreign
U.S.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required
to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to
comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a
currently valid OMB Control Number. The control number for this survey
is at the top of page 1 of this form.
Respondent Burden – Public reporting burden for this BE-15A Form
is estimated to vary from 3.5 to 470 hours per response, with an average
of 44.75 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send
comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this
collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden,
to Director, Bureau of Economic Analysis (BE-1), U.S. Department of
Commerce, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233; and to the
Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project 06080034, Washington, DC 20503.
Confidentiality – The Act provides that your report to this Bureau
is CONFIDENTIAL and may be used only for analytical or statistical
purposes. Without your prior written permission, the information filed
in your report CANNOT be presented in a manner that allows it to be
individually identified. Your report CANNOT be used for purposes of
taxation, investigation, or regulation. Copies retained in your files are
immune from legal process. Per the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of
2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through secure
monitoring of the BEA information systems.

↓ 100%
U.S. affiliate B
100% directly owned
by foreign person A

↓ 50%
U.S. affiliate C
100% x 50% = 50% indirectly
owned by foreign person A

↓ 25%
U.S. affiliate D
100% x 50% x 25% = 12.5%
indirectly owned by foreign person A

A report is required even if the foreign person’s voting interest in the U.S.
business enterprise was established or acquired during the reporting
period.
Beneficial, not record, ownership is the basis of the reporting criteria.
Voting securities, voting stock, and voting interest all have the same
general meaning and are used interchangeably throughout these
instructions and the report forms.
Airline and ship operators – U.S. stations, ticket offices, and
terminal and port facilities of foreign airlines and ship operators that
provide services ONLY to the foreign airlines’ and ship operators’ own
operation are not required to report. Reports are required when such
enterprises produce significant revenues from services provided to
unaffiliated persons.

I. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
A. Who must report – A BE-15 report is required for each U.S.
affiliate, i.e., for each U.S. business enterprise in which a foreign
person or entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, 10 percent
or more of the voting securities if an incorporated U.S. business
enterprise, or an equivalent interest if an unincorporated U.S.
business enterprise, at the end of the business enterprise’s fiscal
year that ended in calendar year 2020. Certain private funds may be
exempt from filing; see item 2(d) of the BE-15 Claim for Exemption
for more information.

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Foreign person A

Agencies and representative offices – U.S. representative
offices, agents, and employees of a foreign person or entity that meet
the criteria outlined below are not considered to be U.S. affiliates, and
therefore, should not be reported on Forms BE-15A, BE-15B, or BE-15C.
However, a foreign person’s or entity’s disbursements to maintain U.S.
sales and representative offices must be reported on Form BE-125,
Quarterly Survey of Transactions in Selected Services and Intellectual
Property with Foreign Persons. Copies of Form BE-125 are available on
BEA’s Web site at: www.bea.gov/ssb

Page 21

I. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS – Continued

Which 2020 BE-15 Form to File?

A U.S. presence of a foreign person or entity (or their representative(s)) is
considered a U.S. sales promotion or representative office if:
1. It is engaged only in sales promotion, representational activities,
public relations activities, or the gathering of market information,
on behalf of the foreign person or entity;
2. It does not produce revenue (other than funds from the foreign
person or entity to cover its expenses).
3. It has minimal assets held either in its own name or the name of
the foreign person or entity.

At least 10 percent voting interest directly
and/or indirectly owned by a foreign person?

Yes

More than 50 percent of the voting rights owned by
another U.S. affiliate at end of the fiscal year ending in
calendar year 2020?

A U.S. presence of a foreign person or entity (or their representative(s))
that produces revenue for its own account from goods or services it
provides to others is considered a U.S. affiliate and is subject to the BE-15
reporting requirements.

File Form BE-15
Claim for Exemption

Yes

Do different foreign persons hold a direct and indirect
ownership interest in the U.S. affiliate (exception c to the
consolidation rules found in instruction IV.2. on page 25)?

1. Which form to file – Review the questions below and the flow chart
on this page to determine if your U.S. business enterprise is required to
file the BE-15 survey. Blank forms can be found at: www.bea.gov/fdi
Yes

a. Were at least 10 percent of the voting rights in your business
enterprise directly or indirectly owned by a foreign person or entity
at the end of your fiscal year that ended in calendar year 2020?

This U.S. affiliate must be consolidated on the
BE-15 report of the U.S. affiliate that owns it
more than 50 percent. File Form BE-15
Claim for Exemption.

¨ Yes — Continue with question b.
¨ No — File Form BE-15 Claim for Exemption by May 31, 2021.
b. Were more than 50 percent of the voting rights in this U.S. business
enterprise owned by another U.S. affiliate at the end of this U.S.
business enterprise’s fiscal year that ended in calendar year 2020?

¨ Yes — Continue with question c.
¨ No — Skip to question d. NOTE: Your business is hereafter

Assets, sales, or net income (loss) greater than
$40 million (positive or negative)?

referred to as a “U.S. affiliate.”

Yes

c. Do different foreign persons hold a direct and an indirect
ownership interest in this U.S. business enterprise (exception c
to the consolidation rules)? (The consolidation rules are found in
instruction IV.2. starting on page 24.)

File Form BE-15 Claim
for Exemption

¨ Yes — Continue with question d. NOTE: Your business is

Assets, sales, or net income (loss) greater
than $120 million (positive or negative)?

hereafter referred to as a “U.S. affiliate.”

¨ No – This U.S. business enterprise must be consolidated on

Yes

the BE-15 report of the U.S. affiliate that owns it more than 50
percent. File Form BE-15 Claim for Exemption with page 1 and
item 2(c) on page 3 completed by May 31, 2021.
Notify the U.S. affiliate that owns this affiliate more than 50
percent, and have them consolidate your data into their report.

File Form
BE-15C

Majority-Owned directly and/or
indirectly by foreign parents?

d. Did any one of the items – Total assets, Sales or gross operating
revenues, or Net income (loss) – for the U.S. affiliate (not just the
foreign parent’s share) exceed $40 million at the end of, or for, its
fiscal year that ended in calendar year 2020?

¨ Yes — Continue with question e.
¨ No – File Form BE-15 Claim for Exemption by May 31, 2021.
e. Did any one of the items – Total assets, Sales or gross operating
revenues, or Net income (loss) – for the U.S. affiliate (not just the
foreign parent’s share) exceed $120 million at the end of, or for, its
fiscal year that ended in calendar year 2020?

Yes

Assets, sales, or net
income (loss) greater
than $300 million
(positive or negative)?

File Form
BE-15B

Yes
File Form
BE-15A

¨ Yes — Continue with question f.
¨ No – File Form BE-15C by May 31, 2021.

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

No
File Form
BE-15B

NOTE: Certain private funds may be exempt from filing.
See www.bea.gov/surveys/privatefunds for more information.

Page 22

I. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS – Continued

Example A

f. Was the U.S. affiliate majority-owned by its foreign parent(s) at
the end of its fiscal year that ended in calendar year 2020? (A
U.S. affiliate is “majority-owned” if the combined direct and indirect
ownership interests of all foreign parents of the U.S. affiliate exceed
50 percent.)

Foreign
U.S.

Miami
branch

¨ Yes — Continue with question g.
¨ No — File Form BE-15B by May 31, 2021.

Los Angeles
branch

¨ Yes — File Form BE-15A by May 31, 2021.
¨ No — File Form BE-15B by May 31, 2021.

Example B

2. Who must file Form BE-15A – 2020 Annual Survey of
Foreign Direct Investment in the United States?

Foreign
U.S.

A Form BE-15A must be completed and filed by May 31, 2021, by
each U.S. business enterprise that was a U.S. affiliate of a foreign
person at the end of its fiscal year that ended in calendar year 2020, if:

B. Foreign, when used in a geographic sense, means that which
is situated outside the United States or which belongs to or is
characteristic of a country other than the United States.
C. Person means any individual, branch, partnership, association,
associated group, estate, trust, corporation, or other organization
(whether or not organized under the laws of any state), and any
government (including a foreign government, the U.S. Government,
a state or local government, and any agency, corporation, financial
institution, or other entity or instrumentality thereof, including a
government-sponsored agency).

C. Aggregated reporting for banks – All U.S. branches and
agencies (including International Banking Facilities) directly owned by
a foreign bank may be aggregated on a single BE-15.

D. Associated group means two or more persons who, by the
appearance of their actions, by agreement, or by an understanding,
exercise their voting privileges in a concerted manner to influence the
management of a business enterprise. The following are deemed to
be associated groups:
1. Members of the same family.
2. A business enterprise and one or more of its officers or directors.

U.S. branches and agencies, directly owned by the foreign parent,
that are aggregated on this report should be counted separately and
listed separately on the Supplement A to this form. See Example A in
the next column.

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Branch 3

Consolidate data for each branch (branch 1, branch 2, and
branch 3) and U.S. bank B on a single BE-15. DO NOT list
them on the Supplement A. Report “1” as number of U.S.
affiliates consolidated for item 8 on page 3.

B. Aggregation of real estate investments – Aggregate all real
estate investments in the United States of a foreign person for the
purpose of applying the reporting criteria. Use a single report form to
report the aggregate holdings, unless BEA has granted permission
to do otherwise. Those holdings not aggregated must be reported
separately. Real estate is discussed more fully in instruction V.C. on
page 29.

A. United States, when used in a geographic sense, means the
several states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, and all territories and possessions of the United States.

U.S. bank B

Branch 2

b. On a fully consolidated, or, in the case of real estate investments,
an aggregated basis, any one of the following three items – Total
assets (do not net out liabilities), or Sales or gross operating
revenues, excluding sales taxes, or Net income after provision
for U.S. income taxes – for the U.S. affiliate (not just the foreign
parent’s share) exceeded $300 million (positive or negative) at the
end of, or for, its fiscal year that ended in calendar year 2020.

II. DEFINITIONS

Foreign parent

Branch 1

a. The ownership or control (both direct and indirect) by all foreign
parents in the voting securities of an incorporated U.S.
business enterprise (or an equivalent interest of an unincorporated
U.S. business enterprise) at the end of the fiscal year that ended
in calendar year 2020, was more than 50 percent (i.e., the
voting securities, or equivalent interest were Majority-owned by
foreign parents), and

Note that subsequent filings of Form BE-15 annual reports and Form
BE-605 quarterly reports with BEA, if required, must be on the same
aggregated basis. If all U.S. branches and agencies directly owned
by a foreign bank are not aggregated on a single report, then each
branch or agency must file a separate BE-15.

New York City
branch

Data for all three branches (Miami, Los Angeles, and New
York City) owned by foreign parent bank A may be aggregated
on a single BE-15. If aggregated, list all three branches on
the Supplement A. Report “3” as the number of U.S. branches
aggregated for item 8 on page 3.

g. Did any one of the items – Total assets, Sales or gross operating
revenues, or Net income (loss) – for the U.S. affiliate (not just the
foreign parent’s share) exceed $300 million at the end of, or for, its
fiscal year that ended in calendar year 2020?

U.S. branches and agencies, owned by a U.S. bank affiliate, should be
consolidated on this report but not counted separately and not listed
separately on the Supplement A to this form. See Example B in the
next column.

Foreign parent
bank A

3. Members of a syndicate or joint venture.
4. A corporation and its domestic subsidiaries.
E. Foreign person means any person resident outside the United
States or subject to the jurisdiction of a country other than the United
States.
F. Direct investment means the ownership or control, directly
or indirectly, by one person of 10 percent or more of the voting
securities of an incorporated business enterprise or an equivalent
interest in an unincorporated business enterprise.
G. Foreign direct investment in the United States means the
ownership or control, directly or indirectly, by one foreign person of
10 percent or more of the voting securities of an incorporated U.S.
business enterprise or an equivalent interest in an unincorporated
U.S. business enterprise, including a branch.

Page 23

II. DEFINITIONS – Continued

III. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

H. Business enterprise means any organization, association, branch,
or venture that exists for profit-making purposes or to otherwise secure
economic advantage, and any ownership of any real estate.

A. Changes in the reporting entity – DO NOT restate close fiscal
year 2019 balances for changes in the consolidated reporting entity
that occurred during fiscal year 2020. The close fiscal year 2019
balances should represent the reporting entity as it existed at the
close of fiscal year 2019.

I. Branch means the operations or activities conducted by a person
in a different location in its own name rather than through an
incorporated entity.
J. Affiliate means a business enterprise located in one country that
is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by a person of another
country to the extent of 10 percent or more of its voting securities for
an incorporated business enterprise or an equivalent interest for an
unincorporated business enterprise, including a branch.
K. U.S. affiliate means an affiliate located in the United States in
which a foreign person has a direct investment.

B. Required information not available – Make all reasonable
efforts to obtain the information required for reporting. Answer every
item except where specifically exempt. Indicate when only partial
information is available.
C. Estimates – If actual figures are not available, provide estimates
and label them as such. When items cannot be fully subdivided as
required, provide totals and an estimated breakdown of the totals.
Certain sections of the Form BE-15A require data that may not
normally be maintained in a company’s customary accounting
records. Precise answers for these items may present the respondent
with a substantial burden beyond what is intended by BEA. This may
be especially true for:

1. Majority-owned U.S. affiliate means a U.S. affiliate in which
the combined direct and indirect voting interest of all foreign
parents of the U.S. affiliate exceeds 50 percent.
2. Minority-owned U.S. affiliate means a U.S. affiliate in which
the combined direct and indirect voting interest of all foreign
parents of the U.S. affiliate is 50 percent or less.

• Items 21 thru 31 – Number of employees in each industry of sales;
• Section C, Items 45 thru 50 – Distribution of sales or gross operating
revenues, by whether the sales were goods, investment income, or
services, and the distribution of sales of services by transactor;

L. Foreign parent is a foreign person that directly or indirectly holds
a voting interest of 10 percent or more in the U.S. affiliate. It is the first
person outside the United States in a foreign chain of ownership, which
has direct investment in a U.S. business enterprise, including a branch.

• Items 93 thru 100 – U.S. trade in goods by U.S. affiliate on a
shipped basis, and
• Items 101 thru 158 – Data disaggregated by state.

M. Affiliated foreign group means (i) the foreign parent, (ii) any
foreign person, proceeding up the foreign parent’s ownership chain,
which owns more than 50 percent of the person below it up to and
including that person which is not owned more than 50 percent by
another foreign person, and (iii) any foreign person, proceeding down
the ownership chain(s) of each of these members, which is owned
more than 50 percent by the person above it.

Therefore, the answers in these sections may be reasonable
estimates based upon the informed judgment of persons in the
responding organization, sampling techniques, prorations based on
related data, etc. However, the estimating procedures used should be
consistently applied on all BEA surveys.

N. U.S. corporation means a business enterprise incorporated in the
United States.
O. Intermediary means any agent, nominee, manager, custodian,
trust, or any person acting in a similar capacity.
P. Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) is the person or entity,
proceeding up the ownership chain beginning with and including the
foreign parent, in which no other entity has more than 50 percent
direct voting interest. Note: Stockholders of a closely or privately held
corporation are normally considered to be an associated group and
may be a UBO.
Q. Banking covers business enterprises engaged in deposit banking
or closely related functions, including commercial banks, Edge Act
corporations engaged in international or foreign banking, foreign
branches and agencies of U.S. banks whether or not they accept
deposits abroad, U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks
whether or not they accept domestic deposits, savings and loans,
savings banks, bank holding companies, and financial holding
companies under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

D. Specify – When “specify” is stated for certain items, provide the type
and dollar amount of the major items included in the data provided.
E. Space on form insufficient – When space on a form is
insufficient to permit a full answer to any item, provide the required
information on supplementary sheets, appropriately labeled and
referenced to the item number on the form.
IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC
SECTIONS OF THE REPORT FORM
NOTE: Instructions in section IV are cross-referenced by number to the
items located on pages 2 to 20.
2 Consolidation Rules
Consolidated reporting by the U.S. affiliate — A U.S.
affiliate must file on a fully consolidated domestic U.S. basis,
including in the full consolidation all U.S. business enterprises
proceeding down each ownership chain whose voting securities are
more than 50 percent owned by the U.S. business enterprise above.
The fully consolidated entity is considered one U.S. affiliate.

R. Lease is an arrangement conveying the right to use property, plant,
or equipment (i.e., land and/or depreciable assets), usually for a
stated period of time.

A foreign person holding real estate investments that are reportable
on the BE-15 must aggregate all such holdings. See Instruction I.B.
on page 23 and V.C. on page 29 for details.

1. Financial lease – A long-term lease under which a sale of the
asset is recognized at the inception of the lease. These may be
shown as lease contracts or accounts receivable on the lessor’s
books. The asset would not be considered as owned by the lessor.
2. Operating lease – Generally, a lease with a term which is less
than the useful life of the asset and a transfer of ownership is not
contemplated.
S. Private fund refers to the same class of financial entities defined
by the Securities and Exchange Commission as private funds on
form PF: “any issuer that would be an investment company as
defined in section 3 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 but for
section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of ...[that] Act.”
FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Do not prepare your BE-15 report using the proportionate consolidation
method. Except as noted in IV.b. and c., consolidate all majority-owned
U.S. business enterprises into your BE-15 report.
Unless the exceptions discussed below apply, any
deviation from these consolidation rules must be approved
in writing by BEA. If you file deconsolidated reports, you must file
the same type of reports that would have been required if a consolidated
report was filed.

Page 24

IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC SECTIONS
OF THE REPORT FORM – Continued
Report majority-owned subsidiaries, if not consolidated, on the BE-15A
using the equity method of accounting. DO NOT eliminate intercompany
accounts (e.g., receivables or liabilities) for affiliates not consolidated.
Exceptions to consolidated reporting – Note: If a U.S. business
enterprise is not consolidated into another U.S. affiliate’s BE-15 report,
then it must be listed on the Supplement B of the other U.S. affiliate’s
BE-15 report, and each U.S. affiliate not consolidated must file its own
Form BE-15.

4 Reporting period — The report covers the U.S. affiliate’s 2020
fiscal year. The affiliate’s 2020 fiscal year is defined as the affiliate’s
financial reporting year that had an ending date in calendar year 2020.
Special circumstances:
a. U.S. affiliates without a financial reporting year — If a
U.S. affiliate does not have a financial reporting year, its fiscal year is
deemed to be the same as calendar year 2020.
b. Change in fiscal year
(1) New fiscal year ends in calendar year 2020 – A U.S.
affiliate that changed the ending date of its financial reporting
year should file a 2020 BE-15 report that covers the 12-month
period prior to the new fiscal year end date. The following
example illustrates the reporting requirements.

a. Do not consolidate foreign subsidiaries, branches,
operations, or investments no matter what the
percentage ownership.
Include foreign holdings owned 20 percent or more using the equity
method of accounting. DO NOT report employment, land, and other
property, plant, and equipment and DO NOT eliminate intercompany
accounts (e.g., receivables or liabilities) for holdings reported using
the equity method.

Example 1: U.S. affiliate A had a June 30, 2019 fiscal year
end date but changed its 2020 fiscal year end date to March 31.
Affiliate A should file a 2020 BE-15 report covering the 12-month
period from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020.

Oil and gas sites owned by U.S. affiliates and located outside of U.S.
claimed territorial waters are to be treated as foreign subsidiaries
of the U.S. affiliates if they meet one of the following criteria: (1)
they are incorporated in a foreign country; (2) they are set up as a
branch; or (3) they have a physical presence in a foreign country as
evidenced by property, plant and equipment or employees located in
that country.

The ending balance sheet amounts reported in column 1 of items
59 through 73 must be the correct balances as of March 31,
2020. The beginning balance sheet amounts reported in column
2 must be the unrestated ending balances as of June 30, 2019.
To reconcile the beginning and ending retained earnings balances
(or, if retained earnings is not shown as a separate account, the
beginning and ending owners’ equity balances) affiliate A must
include an adjusting entry in item 75. To reconcile the beginning
and ending net property, plant and equipment balances, affiliate A
must include an adjusting entry in item 82.

Real estate located outside the United States that is owned by the
U.S. affiliate and generates revenues for, or reimbursements to, the
U.S. affiliate, or that facilitates the foreign operations of the U.S.
affiliate is a foreign subsidiary and should not be consolidated on this
BE-15 report.

(2) No fiscal year ending in calendar year 2020 – If a
change in fiscal year results in a U.S. affiliate not having a fiscal
year that ended in calendar year 2020, the affiliate should file a
2020 BE-15 report that covers 12 months. The following example
illustrates the reporting requirements.

DO NOT list any foreign holdings of the U.S. affiliate on the
Supplement B.

Example 2: U.S. affiliate B had a December 31, 2019 fiscal
year end date but changed its next fiscal year end date to March
31. Instead of having a short fiscal year ending in 2020, affiliate
B decides to have a 15-month fiscal year running from January
1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. Affiliate B should file a 2020 BE-15
report covering a 12-month period ending in calendar year 2020,
such as the period from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020.

b. Special consolidation rules apply to U.S. affiliates that
are limited partnerships or that have an ownership
interest in a U.S. limited partnership. These rules can be
found on BEA’s Web site at: www.bea.gov/help/faq/1011. Also
see instruction 6.b. on page 26 for additional information about
partnerships.
c. A U.S. affiliate in which a direct ownership interest and an indirect
ownership interest are held by different foreign persons should not
be fully consolidated into another U.S. affiliate, but must complete
and file its own Form BE-15 report. (See diagram below.)

In this example, the ending balance sheet amounts reported in
column 1 of items 59 through 73 must be the correct balances as of
March 31, 2020. The beginning balance sheet amounts reported in
column 2 must be the unrestated ending balances as of December
31, 2019. To reconcile the beginning and ending retained earnings
balances (or, if retained earnings is not shown as a separate
account, the beginning and ending owners’ equity balances)
affiliate B must include an adjusting entry in item 75. To reconcile
the beginning and ending net property, plant and equipment
balances, affiliate B must include an adjusting entry in item 82.

If this exception applies, reflect the indirect ownership interest, even
if more than 50 percent, on the balance sheet and income statement
of the owning U.S. affiliate’s BE-15 report on an equity basis. For
example, using the situation shown in the diagram above, U.S.
affiliate X must treat its 60 percent ownership interest in U.S. affiliate
Y as an equity investment.

Foreign person B
Foreign

100%

U.S.
30%

For 2021, assuming no further changes in the fiscal year end
date occur, affiliate B should file a BE-15 report covering the
12-month period from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

Foreign person A

U.S. affiliate X

5 Reporting for a U.S. business that became a U.S.
affiliate during fiscal year 2020 —
a. A U.S. business enterprise that was newly established in fiscal
year 2020 should file a report for the period starting with the
establishment date up to and ending on the last day of its fiscal year
that ended in calendar year 2020. DO NOT estimate amounts for a
full year of operations if the first fiscal year is less than 12 months.

60%
U.S. affiliate Y
U.S. affiliate Y should not be fully consolidated into U.S. affiliate X
because of the 30 percent direct ownership by foreign person B.

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

b. A U.S. business enterprise existing before fiscal year 2020 that
became a U.S. affiliate in fiscal year 2020 should file a report
covering a full 12 months of operations.

Page 25

IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC SECTIONS
OF THE REPORT FORM – Continued

(2) Limited partnerships
(a) Determination of voting interest – “Voting
interest” is defined in instructions 12-16 on page 27.
The determination of the percentage of voting interest
in a limited partnership is based on who controls the
partnership. The percentage of voting interest is not
based on the percentage of ownership in the partnership’s
equity. In most cases, the general partner is presumed
to control a limited partnership, and therefore, have a
100 percent voting interest in the limited partnership. If
there is more than one general partner, the partnership is
presumed to be controlled equally by each of the general
partners, unless a clause to the contrary is contained
in the partnership agreement. For example, if a limited
partnership has two general partners, and nothing to the
contrary is stated in the partnership agreement, then each
general partner is presumed to have a 50 percent voting
interest in the limited partnership.

6 Form of organization of U.S. affiliate – Reporting by
unincorporated U.S. affiliates
a. Directly owned vs. indirectly owned
(1) Directly owned – Each unincorporated U.S. affiliate,
including a branch, that is directly owned 10 percent or more
by a foreign person should file a separate BE-15 report. Do
not combine two or more directly owned U.S. affiliates on a
single BE-15 report. The only exceptions are for U.S. affiliates
that are real estate investments or banks. See Instruction I.B.
on page 23 and Instruction V.C. on page 29 for details on real
estate. See instruction I.C. on page 23 for details on banks
(2) Indirectly owned – Except as noted in the exceptions
to the consolidation rules starting on page 24, an indirectly
owned unincorporated U.S. business enterprise that is owned
more than 50 percent (voting interest) by another U.S. affiliate
should be fully consolidated on the report with the U.S.
affiliate that holds the voting interest greater than 50 percent.
An indirectly owned unincorporated U.S. business enterprise
owned 50 percent (voting interest) or less by another U.S.
affiliate should file a separate BE-15 report if no other U.S.
affiliate owns a voting interest of more than 50 percent.

Limited partners do not normally exercise any control
over a limited partnership. Therefore unless a clause to
the contrary is contained in the partnership agreement,
limited partners are presumed to have zero voting interest
in a limited partnership. If a limited partnership has one
or more limited partners who are foreign persons, the
foreign limited partners are presumed to have no voting
interest, and, therefore, no direct investment in the limited
partnership.

b. Partnerships – Most partnerships are either general
partnerships or limited partnerships. A general partnership usually
consists of at least two general partners who together control
the partnership. A limited partnership usually consists of at least
one general partner and one limited partner. The general partner
usually controls a limited partnership. The limited partner has
a financial interest but does not usually have any voting rights
(control) in a limited partnership.

Managing partners – See discussion under “General
Partnerships” to the left.
(b) Consolidation Rules
Special consolidation rules apply to U.S.
affiliates that are limited partnerships or that
have an ownership interest in a U.S. limited
partnership. These rules can be found on BEA’s Web
site at: www.bea.gov/ltdpartner15

Partners without voting rights (control) cannot have direct
investment in a partnership. Therefore, limited partners do not
usually have direct investment. The existence of direct investment
in a partnership is determined by the percentage of control
exercised by the partner(s). The percentage of control exercised
by a partner may differ from its financial interest in the partnership.

c. Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
Determination of voting interest – “Voting interest” is
defined in instruction 12-16 on page 27. The determination of the
percentage of voting interest in an LLC is based on who controls
the LLC. The percentage of voting interest is not based on the
percentage of ownership in the LLC’s equity. LLCs are presumed
to be controlled equally by each of its members (owners), unless
a clause to the contrary is contained in the articles of organization
or the operating agreement. For example, if an LLC has two
members, and nothing to the contrary is contained in the articles
of organization or the operating agreement, then each member is
presumed to have a 50 percent voting interest in the LLC; if there
are three members, then each member is presumed to have a
one-third voting interest in the LLC.

(1) General partnerships
Determination of voting interest – “Voting interest” is
defined in instructions 12–16 on page 27. The determination
of the percentage of voting interest of a general partner is
based on who controls the partnership. The percentage of
voting interest is not based on the percentage of ownership in
the partnership’s equity. The general partners are presumed
to control a general partnership. Unless a clause to the
contrary is contained in the partnership agreement, a general
partnership is presumed to be controlled equally by each of
the general partners. For example, if a partnership has two
general partners, and nothing to the contrary is stated in the
partnership agreement, each general partner is presumed to
have a 50 percent voting interest. If there are three general
partners, each general partner is presumed to have a onethird voting interest, etc.
Managing partners – If one general partner is designated
as the managing partner, responsible for the day-to-day
operations of the partnership, this does not necessarily
transfer control of the partnership to the managing partner.
If the managing partner must obtain approval for annual
operating budgets and for decisions relating to significant
management issues from the other general partners, then the
managing partner does not have a 100 percent voting interest
in the partnership.

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Managing member – If one member is designated as the
managing member responsible for the day-to-day operations of
the LLC, this does not necessarily transfer control of the LLC
to the managing member. If the managing member must obtain
approval for annual operating budgets and decisions relating to
other significant management issues from the other members,
then the managing member does not have a 100 percent voting
interest in the LLC.
9 U.S. affiliates NOT consolidated – Report investments in U.S.
business enterprises that are owned 20 percent or more and not fully
consolidated using the equity method of accounting. DO NOT report
employment, land, and other property, plant, and equipment and DO
NOT eliminate intercompany accounts (e.g., receivables or liabilities)
for holdings reported using the equity method.

Page 26

37 Certain gains (losses) —

IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC SECTIONS
OF THE REPORT FORM – Continued

Special instructions for real estate companies.

You may report immaterial investments using the cost method of
accounting if this treatment is consistent with your normal reporting
practice. Report investments owned less than 20 percent in
accordance with FASB ASC 320 (formerly FAS 115) or the cost basis
of accounting.

Real estate companies – Include in item 37:
(a) Impairment losses as defined by FASB ASC 360 (formerly
FAS 144), and
(b) Goodwill impairment as defined by FASB ASC 350 (formerly
FAS 142).

List all U.S. affiliates in which this U.S. affiliate has a voting interest of
at least 10 percent and that are not consolidated in this Form BE-15A
on the Supplement B.

EXCLUDE the revenues earned and expenses incurred
from the sale of real estate you own. Such revenues should
be reported as operating income in item 34 column 2, items
35 and 45, and as sales of goods in item 46. Such expenses,
including the net book value of the real estate sold, should
be reported as costs of goods sold in item 40. Do not net the
expenses against the revenues.

12 – 16 Ownership — Voting interest and equity interest
a. Voting interest is the percent of ownership in the voting equity
of the U.S. affiliate. Voting equity consists of ownership interests that
have a say in the management of the company. Examples of voting
equity include capital stock that has voting rights and a general
partner’s interest in a partnership. See instruction 6.b.(1) and 6.b.(2)
(a), on page 26 for information about determining the voting interest
for partnerships. See instruction 6.c. on page 26 for information about
determining the voting interest for Limited Liability Companies.

46 Sales of goods – Goods are outputs that are tangible. Report as
sales of goods:
• Mass produced media, including exposed film, video tapes,
DVDs, audio tapes, and CDs.

b. Equity interest is the percent of ownership in the total equity
(voting and nonvoting) of the U.S. affiliate. Nonvoting equity consists
of ownership interests that do not have a say in the management of
the company. An example of nonvoting equity is preferred stock that
has no voting rights.

• Books. NOTE: Book publishers – To the extent feasible, report as
sales of services all revenues associated with the design, editing,
and marketing activities necessary for producing and distributing
books that you both publish and sell. If you cannot unbundle (i.e.,
separate) these revenues from the value of the books you sell, then
report your sales as sales of goods or services based on a best
estimate of the value in each.

Voting interest and equity interest are not always equal.
For example, an owner can have a 100 percent voting interest in a U.S.
affiliate but own less than 100 percent of the affiliate’s total equity. This
situation is illustrated in the following example.

• Energy trading activities where you take title to the goods.
NOTE: If you act in the capacity of a broker or agent to facilitate
the sale of goods and you do not take title to the goods, report
your revenue (i.e., commissions) as sales of services in item 48.

Example: U.S. affiliate A has two classes of stock, common
and preferred. There are 50 shares of common stock outstanding.
Each common share is entitled to one vote and has an ownership
interest in 1 percent of the total owners’ equity amount. There are 50
shares of preferred stock outstanding. Each preferred share has an
ownership interest in 1 percent of the total owners’ equity amount
but has no voting rights. Foreign parent B owns all 50 shares of the
common stock. U.S. investors own all 50 shares of the preferred
stock. Since foreign parent B owns all of the voting stock, foreign
parent B has a 100 percent voting interest in U.S. affiliate A. However,
since all 50 shares of the nonvoting preferred shares are owned by
U.S. investors, foreign parent B has only a 50 percent equity interest
in the owners’ equity amount of U.S. affiliate A.

• Magazines and periodicals sold in retail stores. NOTE: Report
subscription sales as sales of services in item 48.
• Packaged general use computer software.
• Structures sold by businesses in real estate.
• Revenues earned from building structures by businesses in
construction.
• Electricity, natural gas, and water. NOTE: Revenues derived
from transmitting and/or distributing these goods, as opposed to
revenues derived from the sale of the actual product, should, to
the extent feasible, be reported as sales of services in item 48.

21 – 34 Industry classification, total sales, and employees
of fully consolidated U.S. affiliate
Book publishers and printers – Printing books without publishing
is classified in International Surveys Industry (ISI) code 3231 (printing
and related support activities) not ISI code 5111 (newspaper, periodical,
book, and directory publishers).
Real estate investment trusts (REITS) – Report hybrid or
mortgage REITS in ISI code 5252 (funds, trusts, and other finance
vehicles). Report all other REITS in ISI code 5310 (real estate).

47 Investment income – Report ALL interest and dividends
generated by finance and insurance subsidiaries or units as
investment income. NOTE: Report commissions and fees as sales
of services in item 48.
48 Sales of services – Services are outputs that are intangible.
Report as sales of services:

Repos and reverse repos – On the sales schedule (items 21–34),
interest income and interest expense associated with repos and reverse
repos should be offset against one another and reported at the net
amount. This net amount should also be reported in item 47 (investment
income included in gross operating revenues). However, in items 51
(interest income from all sources) and 52 (interest expense plus interest
capitalized), interest income and interest expense associated with repos
and reverse repos should be reported at the gross amounts.
On the balance sheet, reverse repos should be reported as assets and
included in item 63 (other assets) while repos should be reported as
liabilities and included in item 65 (total liabilities).

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 27

• Advertising revenue.
• Commissions and fees earned by companies engaged in finance
and real estate activities.
• Commissions earned by agents or brokers (i.e., wholesalers)
who act on behalf of buyers and sellers in the wholesale
distribution of goods.
• Magazines and periodicals sold through subscriptions. NOTE:
Report magazines and periodicals sold through retail stores as
sales of goods in item 46.

IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC SECTIONS
OF THE REPORT FORM – Continued

Basic research is the pursuit of new scientific knowledge or understanding
that does not have specific immediate commercial objectives, although it
may be in fields of present or potential commercial interest.

• Newspapers.

Applied research applies the findings of basic research or other existing
knowledge toward discovering new scientific knowledge that has specific
commercial objectives with respect to new products, services, processes,
or methods.

• Pipeline transportation.
• Software downloaded from the Internet, electronic mail, an
extranet, Electronic Data Interchange network, or some other
online system.
• Computer systems design and related services.
• Negotiated licensing fees for software to be used on networks.
• Electricity transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution,
and water distribution.
54 Employee compensation
Employee compensation includes wages and salaries and employee
benefit plans.
Wages and salaries are the gross earnings of all employees before
deduction of employees’ payroll withholding taxes, social insurance
contributions, group insurance premiums, union dues, etc. Include time
and piece rate payments, cost of living adjustments, overtime pay and
shift differentials, bonuses, profit sharing amounts, and commissions.
Exclude commissions paid to persons who are not employees.
Wages and salaries include direct payments by employers for vacations,
sick leave, severance (redundancy) pay, etc. Include employer
contributions to benefit funds. Exclude payments made by, or on behalf
of, benefit funds rather than by the employer.
Wages and salaries include in-kind payments, valued at their cost, that
are clearly and primarily of benefit to the employees as
consumers. Exclude expenditures that benefit employers as well as
employees, such as expenditures for plant facilities, employee training
programs, and reimbursement for business expenses.

Development is the systematic use of the knowledge or understanding
gained from research or practical experience directed toward the
production or significant improvement of useful products, services,
processes, or methods, including the design and development of
prototypes, materials, devices, and systems.
R&D includes the activities described above whether assigned to
separate R&D organizational units of the company or carried out by
company laboratories and technical groups not a part of an R&D
organization.
INCLUDE all costs incurred to support R&D performed by the affiliate.
INCLUDE wages, salaries, and related costs; materials and supplies
consumed; depreciation on R&D property and equipment; cost of
computer software used in R&D activities; utilities, such as telephone,
electricity, water, and gas; travel costs and professional dues; property
taxes and other taxes (except income taxes) incurred on account of
the R&D organization or the facilities they use; insurance expenses;
maintenance and repair, including maintenance of buildings and grounds;
company overhead including: personnel, accounting, procurement and
inventory, and salaries of research executives not on the payroll of the
R&D organization. EXCLUDE capital expenditures, expenditures for tests
and evaluations once a prototype becomes a production model, patent
expenses, and income taxes and interest.
Does R&D include development of software and Internet
applications?

Employee benefit plans are employer expenditures for all employee
benefit plans, including those required by government statute, those
resulting from a collective-bargaining contract, or those that are voluntary.
Employee benefit plans include Social Security and other retirement
plans, life and disability insurance, guaranteed sick pay programs,
workers’ compensation insurance, medical insurance, family allowances,
unemployment insurance, severance pay funds, etc. If plans are financed
jointly by the employer and the employee, include only the contributions
of the employer.

Research and development activity in software and Internet applications
refers only to activities with an element of uncertainty and that are intended
to close knowledge gaps and meet scientific and technological needs.
R&D activity in software INCLUDES:
• Software development or improvement activities that expand
scientific or technological knowledge
• Construction of new theories and algorithms in the field of
computer science
R&D activity in software EXCLUDES:
• Software development that does not depend on a scientific or
technological advance, such as

55a Research and development (R&D) performed BY the
U.S. affiliate – Research and development (R&D) comprise creative
and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of
knowledge and to devise new applications of available knowledge. This
includes a) activities aimed at acquiring new knowledge or understanding
without specific immediate commercial applications or uses (basic
research); b) activities aimed at solving a specific problem or meeting a
specific commercial objective (applied research); and c) systematic work,
drawing on research and practical experience and resulting in additional
knowledge, which is directed to producing new products or processes or
to improving existing products or processes (development). R&D includes
both direct costs such as salaries of researchers as well as administrative
and overhead costs clearly associated with the company’s R&D.

• supporting or adapting existing systems
• adding functionality to existing application programs, and
• routine debugging of existing systems and software
• Creation of new software based on known methods and
applications
• Conversion or translation of existing software and software
languages
• Adaptation of a product to a specific client, unless knowledge
that significantly improved the base program was added in that
process

The term R&D does NOT include expenditures for:
• Costs for routine product testing, quality control, and technical
services unless they are an integral part of an R&D project

93 – 100 U.S. trade in goods by U.S. affiliate on a shipped
basis

• Market research

“U.S. Trade in goods” is the physical movement of goods between the
customs area of the United States and the customs area of a foreign
country. Goods shipped by, or to, the U.S. affiliate whether or not they
were actually charged or consigned by, or to, the U.S. affiliate, are
considered to be trade of the U.S. affiliate. To adjust “charged” basis data
to a “shipped” basis it may be necessary to look at export and import
declarations filed with U.S. customs or shipping and receiving documents
to determine the physical movement of goods.

• Efficiency surveys or management studies
• Literary, artistic, or historical projects, such as films, music, or
books and other publications
• Prospecting or exploration for natural resources

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 28

IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC SECTIONS
OF THE REPORT FORM – Continued

settlement items (car hire, car repair, freight revenues, switching
revenues, and loss and damage settlements) in items 63 and 65.

Differences between the “charged” and “shipped” basis may be substantial.
A major difference arises when a U.S. affiliate buys goods in foreign
country A and sells them in foreign country B. Because the goods did
not physically enter or leave the United States, they are not U.S. trade.
However, when the U.S. affiliate records the transactions on its books, it
would show a purchase charged to it from country A and a sale charged by
it to country B. If the U.S. affiliate’s trade data in this survey were prepared
on the “charged” basis, the purchase and sale would appear incorrectly as
a U.S. import and U.S. export, respectively. Other differences arise when
the U.S. affiliate charges the sale of its products to a foreign parent, but
ships the goods directly from the United States to an unaffiliated foreign
person. If the data are on the “shipped” basis, this should be a U.S. export
to an unaffiliated foreign person, not to the foreign parent.
V. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
A. Insurance companies – Reporting should be in accordance
with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, not Statutory
Accounting Practices (SAP). For example, the BE-15 report should
include the following assets even though they are not acceptable
under SAP: 1. non-trusteed or free account assets, and 2.
nonadmitted assets such as furniture and equipment, agents’ debit
balances, and all receivables deemed to be collectible.
Item on Form BE–15A:
34 Sales or gross operating revenues, excluding sales
taxes – Include items such as earned premiums, annuity
considerations, gross interest and dividend income, and items of
a similar nature. Exclude income from unconsolidated affiliates
that is to be reported in item 36, and certain gains (losses) that
are to be reported in item 37.
40 Cost of goods sold or services rendered, and
selling, general, and administrative expenses –
Include costs relating to sales or gross operating revenues,
item 35, such as policy losses incurred, death benefits, matured
endowments, other policy benefits, increases in liabilities
for future policy benefits, other underwriting expenses, and
investment expenses.
47 Investment income – Report that portion of sales or gross
operating revenues, items 34 column 2, 35 and 45, that is
investment income (e.g., interest and dividends). However,
report gains (losses) on investments in accordance with the
instructions for item 37 on page 8.

C. Real Estate – The ownership of real estate is defined to be a
business enterprise, and if the real estate is foreign owned, it is a
U.S. affiliate of a foreign person. A BE-15 report is required unless
the enterprise is otherwise exempt.
Residential real estate held exclusively for personal use and not for
profit making purposes is not subject to the reporting requirements.
A residence that is an owner’s primary residence that is then leased
by the owner while outside the United States, but which the owner
intends to reoccupy, is considered real estate held for personal use
and therefore not subject to the reporting requirements. Ownership
of U.S. residential real estate by a corporation whose sole purpose
is to hold the real estate for the personal use of the owner(s) of the
corporation is considered to be real estate held for personal use and
therefore not subject to the reporting requirements.
Aggregation of real estate investments – A foreign person
holding real estate investments that are reportable on the BE-15 must
aggregate all such holdings for the purpose of applying the reporting
criteria (see instruction I.B. on page 23 of this form). File a single BE-15
report covering the aggregated holdings. If on an aggregated basis any
one of the following three items – total assets (do not net out liabilities), or
sales or gross operating revenues, excluding sales taxes, or net income
after provision for U.S. income taxes – exceeds $300 million (positive or
negative), file Form BE-15A. If permission has been received in writing
from BEA to file on an non-aggregated basis, you must report each real
estate investment on a Form BE-15A if a Form BE-15A would have been
required on an aggregated basis. Non-aggregated reports should be filed
as a group and you should inform BEA that they are all for one owner.
On page 1, for the name and address of the U.S. business enterprise,
BEA is not seeking a legal description of the property, nor necessarily
the address of the property itself. Because there may be no operating
business enterprise for a real estate investment, what BEA seeks is a
consistently identifiable name for the investment (i.e., the U.S. affiliate)
together with an address to which report forms can be mailed so that
the investment (affiliate) can be reported on a consistent basis for each
reporting period and for the various BEA surveys.
Thus, on page 1 of the BE-15 survey forms the “name and address” of
the U.S. affiliate might be:
XYZ Corp. N.V., Real Estate Investments
c/o B&K Inc., Accountants
120 Major Street
Miami, FL XXXXX
If the investment property has a name, such as Sunrise Apartments, the
name and address on page 1 of the BE-15 survey forms might be:

48 Sales of services – Include premium income and income
from actuarial, claims adjustment, and other services, if any.
Premiums earned by companies engaged in insurance activities.
NOTE: Calculate as direct premiums written (including renewals)
net of cancellations, plus reinsurance premiums assumed, minus
reinsurance premiums ceded, plus unearned premiums at the
beginning of the year, minus unearned premiums at the end of
the year.
64 Total assets – Include current items such as agents’
balances, uncollected premiums, amounts recoverable from
reinsurers, and other current notes and accounts receivable
(net of allowances for doubtful items) arising from the ordinary
course of business.
65 Total liabilities – Include current items such as loss liabilities,
policy claims, commissions due, other current liabilities arising
from the ordinary course of business, and long-term debt.

Sunrise Apartments
c/o ABC Real Estate
120 Major Street
Miami, FL XXXXX
There are items throughout the Form BE-15A that may not apply
to certain types of real estate investments, such as the employer
identification number, the number of employees, and exports and
imports. In such cases, enter zero or leave items blank as appropriate.
D. Joint ventures and partnerships – If a foreign person has a
direct or indirect voting ownership interest of 10 percent or more
in a joint venture, partnership, etc., that is formed to own and hold,
develop, or operate real estate, the joint venture, partnership, etc., in
its entirety, not just the foreign person’s share, is a U.S. affiliate and
must be reported as follows:

73 Total owners’ equity – Include mandatory securities
valuation reserves that are appropriations of retained earnings.
B. Railroad transportation companies – Railroad transportation
companies should include only the net annual balances for interline

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 29

1. If the foreign interest in the U.S. affiliate is directly held by the
foreign person, then a BE-15 report must be filed by the affiliate
(subject to the aggregation rules discussed above).

V. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – Continued

BEA of the date such instructions were given and provides BEA
the name and address of the U.S. affiliate, and has supplied the
U.S. affiliate with any information in the possession of, or which
can be secured by, the intermediary that is necessary to permit
the U.S. affiliate to complete the required reports. When acting in
the capacity of an intermediary, the accounts or transactions of
the U.S. intermediary with a UBO are considered as accounts or
transactions of the U.S. affiliate with the UBO. To the extent such
transactions or accounts are unavailable to the U.S. affiliate, BEA
may require the intermediary to report them.

2. If a voting interest of more than 50 percent in the U.S. affiliate is
owned by another U.S. affiliate, the owned affiliate must be fully
consolidated in the BE-15 report of the owning affiliate.
3. If a voting interest of 50 percent or less in the U.S. affiliate is owned
by another U.S. affiliate, and no U.S. affiliate owns a voting interest
of more than 50 percent, then a separate BE-15 report must be
filed by the owned affiliate. The BE-15 report(s) of the owning
affiliate(s) must show an equity investment in the owned affiliate.
E. Farms – For farms that are not operated by their foreign owners,
the income statements and related items should be prepared based
on the extent to which the income from the farm accrues to, and the
expenses of the farm are borne by, the owner. Generally, this means
that income, expenses, and gain (loss) assignable to the owner should
reflect the extent to which the risk of the operation falls on the owner.
For example, even though the operator and other workers on the
farm are hired by a management firm, if their wages and salaries are
assigned to, and borne by, the farm operation being reported, then the
operator and other workers should be reported as employees of that
farm operation and the wages and salaries should be included as an
expense in the income statement.

2. If a UBO holds a U.S. affiliate through a foreign intermediary, the
U.S. affiliate may report the intermediary as its foreign parent
but, when requested, must also identify and furnish information
concerning the UBO. Accounts or transactions of the U.S. affiliate
with the foreign intermediary are considered as accounts or
transactions of the U.S. affiliate with the UBO.
G. Determining place of residence and country of
jurisdiction of individuals – An individual is considered a
resident of, and subject to the jurisdiction of, the country in which
he or she is physically located. The following guidelines apply to
individuals who do not reside in their country of citizenship:
1. Individuals who reside, or expect to reside, outside their country of
citizenship for less than one year are considered to be residents of
their country of citizenship.

EXAMPLES:
1. If the farm is leased to an operator for a fixed fee, the owner
should report the fixed fee in “total sales” and should report the
non-operating expenses that he or she may be responsible for,
such as real estate taxes, interest on loans, etc., as expenses in
the income statement.

2. Individuals who reside, or expect to reside, outside their country
of citizenship for one year or more are considered to be residents
of the country in which they are residing, except as provided in
paragraphs 3 and 4 in the next column.

2. If the farm is operated by a management firm that oversees the
operation of the farm and hires an operator, but the operating income
and expenses are assigned to the owner, the income and expenses
so assigned should be shown in the requested detail in the income
statement, and related items, as appropriate. (The report should not
show just one item, i.e., the net of income less the management fee,
where the management fee includes all expenses.)

3. If an owner or employee of a business enterprise resides outside
the country of location of the enterprise for one year or more for
the purpose of furthering the business of the enterprise, and the
country of the business enterprise is the country of citizenship
of the owner or employee, then such owner or employee is
considered a resident of the country of citizenship, provided
there is the intent to return to the country of citizenship within a
reasonable period of time.

F. Estates, trusts, and intermediaries
A Foreign estate is a person and therefore may have direct
investment, and the estate, not the beneficiary, is considered to be
the owner.
A Trust is a person but it is not a business enterprise. The trust
is considered to be the same as an intermediary, and should
report as outlined in the instructions for intermediaries below.
For reporting purposes, the beneficiary(ies) of the trust is (are)
considered to be the owner(s) for purposes of determining the
existence of direct investment, except in two cases: (1) if there is,
or may be, a reversionary interest, or (2) if a corporation or other
organization creates a trust designating its shareholders or members
as beneficiaries. In these two cases, the creator(s) of the trust is
(are) deemed to be the owner(s) of the investments of the trust (or
succeeding trusts where the presently existing trust had evolved out
of a prior trust), for the purposes of determining the existence and
reporting of direct investment (These instructions are not applicable
to REITs.)
This procedure is adopted in order to fulfill the statistical purposes of
this survey and does not imply that control over an enterprise owned
or controlled by a trust is, or can be, exercised by the beneficiary(ies)
or creator(s).
For an intermediary:
1. If a U.S. intermediary holds, exercises, administers, or manages
a particular foreign direct investment in the United States for the
beneficial owner, such intermediary is responsible for reporting
the required information for, and in the name of, the U.S. affiliate.
Alternatively, the U.S. intermediary can instruct the U.S. affiliate to
submit the required information. Upon so doing, the intermediary
is released from further liability to report, provided it has informed

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

4. Individuals and members of their immediate family who are
residing outside their country of citizenship as a result of
employment by the government of that country – diplomats,
consular officials, members of the armed forces, etc. – are
considered to be residents of their country of citizenship.
VI. FILING THE BE–15
A. Due date – A completed report, or Claim for Exemption from
filing, covering a reporting company’s fiscal year ending in calendar
year 2020 is due no later than May 31, 2021 (or by June 30 for
reporting companies that use BEA’s eFile system). Go to
www.bea.gov/efile for details about using eFile.
B. Extensions – For the efficient processing of the survey and timely
dissemination of the results, it is important that your report is filed
by the due date. Nevertheless, reasonable requests for extension
of the filing deadline will be granted. Requests for extensions may
be submitted through the eFile system at www.bea.gov/efile.
All requests for extensions must be received NO LATER THAN
May 31, 2021.
C. Assistance – For assistance, telephone (301) 278-9247, or send
email to be12/15@bea.gov. Forms can be obtained from BEA’s Web
site at: www.bea.gov/fdi
D. Electronic filing option (eFile) – Forms that can be transmitted
to BEA electronically will be available on the BEA website:
www.bea.gov/efile. If you eFile, please do not submit paper reports.
E. Annual stockholders’ report or other financial
statements – Furnish a copy of your FY 2020 annual stockholders’

Page 30

VI. FILING THE BE–15 – Continued

report or Form 10-K when filing the BE-15 report. If you do not
publish an annual stockholders’ report or file Form 10-K, provide
any financial statements that may be prepared, including the
accompanying notes. Information contained in these statements is
useful in reviewing your report and may reduce the need for further
contact. Section 5(c) of the International Investment and Trade in
Services Survey Act, Public Law 94-472, 90 Stat. 2059, 22 U.S.C.
3101-3108, as amended, provides that this information can be used
for analytical and statistical purposes only and that it must be held
strictly confidential.

F. Retention of copies – Each U.S. affiliate must retain a copy of
its report to facilitate resolution of problems. These copies should
be retained by the U.S. affiliate for at least 3 years after the report’s
original due date.

FORM BE-15A (REV 10/2020)

Page 31

File Type	application/pdf
File Modified	2020-10-21
File Created	2020-10-21