Annual Capital Expenditures Survey

ACE-2 Flyer
(02-24-2015)

Answers to Some Basic Questions about the
2014 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES)
(1) Why am I being asked to complete this survey?
Our records show that you had some kind of business activity during 2014. The
activity might have been as a self-employed individual, a sole proprietorship, a
start-up company, an independent contractor, or a member of a partnership. If
you did not have any business activity during 2014, please complete the
“Ownership Information Section” only.

(2) What information does the Census Bureau need?
We need you to report all 2014 business spending for new and/or used
structures and new and/or used equipment. If purchases were for both business
and personal use, estimate and report the share of the purchases for business
use.

(3) Do I need to complete the survey if I had NO expenditures in
2014?
You do, if you operated a business at any time during the year. If you spent
nothing on structures and equipment during the year, enter “0” under total capital
expenditures.

(4) What does the Census Bureau mean by “structures”?
Examples of structures include new and/or used offices, buildings, and
residential real estate purchased or built for business use. Count major additions
and improvements to such business structures as new structures.

(5) What does the Census Bureau mean by “equipment”?
Examples of equipment include new and/or used computer software, furniture,
fixtures, computers, desks, chairs, automobiles, machinery and specialized
equipment for business use.

(6) Should I round the dollar values I report?
Yes. Round dollar values to the nearest thousand. You may use reasonable
estimates if book figures are not readily available.

Examples:
If in 2014 you purchased a new computer for $800 and a new office chair for $150 for
business use, sum those purchases, round the sum to the nearest thousand ($1,000),
and enter “1” under new equipment .
If in 2014 you purchased a used automobile for $10,000 and renovated your office
space for $15,000, count the automobile as used equipment and the office renovation
as new structures. Enter “10” under used equipment and “15” under new structures.

For more information or help completing your survey, call our staff at
1-800-528-3049, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
(Eastern Time)
Please complete all sections of the survey. This will help to ensure
that we will not have to contact you.
Thank you for completing the survey.