Annual Business Survey

A. ABS Letters

Annual Business Survey

OMB: 0607-1004

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ABS-L1

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau
Office of the Director
Washington, DC 20233

(Draft)

Your business has been selected to parcipate in the naonwide 2025 Annual Business Survey.
This survey is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Naonal Center for Science and
Engineering Statistics, within the National Science Foundation. The survey collects annual data on
the characteristics of U.S. businesses and owners as well as research and development, innovation,
and technology.
Your response is required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code, Sections 224 and 225). Your response will be
kept confidential. The survey data provide vital Informaon used to help businesses across the
nation succeed and grow. See the back of this letter for more information about the survey.

•
•
•

Register or sign in at portal.census.gov
Add your one-time authentication code, then click "REPORT NOW."
You can return to your account over multiple sessions to complete the survey.

For help completing the survey, sign into your Census Bureau account or visit census.gov/abshelp.
You can also call 1-888-824-9954, Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Thank you for participating and helping business communities across the nation.
Sincerely,

Robert L. Santos, Director
U.S. Census Bureau

Emilda B. Rivers, Director
Naonal Center for Science and Engineering Stascs
Naonal Science Foundaon

census.gov/abs

ABS-L1
(Draft)

What is the Annual Business Survey (ABS)?
The ABS is the primary source of selected economic and demographic characteristics for businesses
and business owners. The survey measures research and development (for microbusinesses), as well
as other business characteristics. Statistics from the ABS will be used by government program
officials, industry organization leaders, economic and social analysts, business entrepreneurs, and
domestic and foreign researchers in academia, business, and government.
How do I know this is a legitimate government survey?
This survey has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The eight-digit
OMB approval number is 0607-1004 and appears in the top right corner of each reporting screen.
Without this approval, we could not conduct this survey. We are conducng this survey under
the authority of Title 13, U.S. Code, Sections 8(b), 131, and 182; Title 42, U.S. Code, Section
1861-76 (National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended); and Section 505 within the
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010.
How long will it take to complete the survey?
We estimate the Annual Business Survey will take an average of 29 minutes to complete. Factors such
as company size, complexity, and activity will affect your actual time to complete the survey. This
estimate includes the time to review instructions, search existing data sources, gather and maintain
the data needed, and complete and review the survey.
Will my response be confidential?
Yes. The U.S. Census Bureau is required by law to keep your response confidential (Title 13, U.S.
Code, Section 9). The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way
that could identify your business, organization, or institution. Per the Federal Cybersecurity
Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of
the systems that transmit data.
Am I required to fill out the survey?
Yes. Your business is required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code, Sections 224 and 225) to respond to
this survey. As a randomly selected representative of businesses in your community, you are the
voice of your neighbors and peers. To create an accurate picture of commerce activity in your
area, it is critical that you respond.
How will the Census Bureau use the information I provide?
By law, the Census Bureau can only use your business data to produce statistics. Your informa
on will be used in combinaon with informaon from other businesses to produce stascs for
your community.
My firm is no longer in business. What should I do?
Completion of the ABS report form is required even if this business has since been sold, reorganized,
or ceased operations. To report that the business has closed, you should respond to the first question
on the ABS online report form which asks, “Has this business ceased operations?” If another entity
acquired or merged with this business during or after the survey reference year, you should report
for the part of the year that this business was in operation prior to its acquisition or merger. If you
need further assistance, please call our toll-free number 1-888-824-9954, Monday through Friday,
8:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

ABS-L1(N)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau
Office of the Director
Washington, DC 20233

(Draft)

Your business has been selected to parcipate in the Research Acvies at Nonproﬁt
Organizaons module of the 2025 Annual Business Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and
the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), within the National Science
Foundation (NSF). The survey collects data on the important research contribuons that nonproﬁt
organizations make to U.S. society and the economy.
Your response is required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code, Sections 224 and 225). Your response will be
kept confidential. The survey data provide vital Informaon used to help businesses across the
nation succeed and grow. See the back of this letter for more information about the survey.

•
•
•

Register or sign in at portal.census.gov
Add your one-time authentication code, then click "REPORT NOW."
You can return to your account over multiple sessions to complete the survey.

Robert L. Santos, Director
U.S. Census Bureau

Emilda B. Rivers, Director
Naonal Center for Science and Engineering Stascs
Naonal Science Foundaon

census.gov/abs

ABS-L1(N)
(Draft)

What is the Annual Business Survey (ABS)?
The ABS is the primary source of selected economic and demographic characteristics for businesses and
business owners. The survey measures research and development (for microbusinesses), as well as
other business characteristics. Statistics from the ABS will be used by government program officials,
industry organization leaders, economic and social analysts, business entrepreneurs, and domestic and
foreign researchers in academia, business, and government.
What are the Research Activities at Nonproﬁt Organizations module of the the Annual Business
Survey (ABS)?
The Research Acvies at Nonproﬁt Organizaons module of the Annual Business Survey was
introduced in 2021. The module measures research and experimental development (R&D) performance
and funding at U.S. tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. Included are all nonfarm businesses filing
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax forms as nonproﬁt organizaons with an annual payroll of $500,000
or more.
How do I know this is a legitimate government survey?
This survey has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The eight-digit
OMB approval number is 0607-1004 and appears in the top right corner of each reporting screen.
Without this approval, we could not conduct this survey. We are conducng this survey under the
authority of Title 13, U.S. Code, Sections 8(b), 131, and 182; Title 42, U.S. Code, Section 1861-76
(National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended); and Section 505 within the America
COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010.
How long will it take to complete the survey?
For most organizations, we estimate the Research Activities at Nonprofit Organizations module of the
2025 Annual Business Survey will take 38 minutes to complete. Factors such as nonprofit organization
size, complexity, and activity will affect your actual time to complete the survey. This estimate includes
the time to review instructions, search existing data sources, gather and maintain the data needed, and
complete and review the survey.
Will my response be confidential?
Yes. The U.S. Census Bureau is required by law to keep your response confidential (Title 13, U.S.
Code, Section 9). The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way
that could identify your business, organization, or institution. Per the Federal Cybersecurity
Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of
the systems that transmit data.
Am I required to fill out the survey?
Yes. Your business is required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code, Sections 224 and 225) to respond to this
survey. As a randomly selected representative of businesses in your community, you are the voice
of your neighbors and peers. To create an accurate picture of commerce activity in your area, it is
critical that you respond.
How will the Census Bureau use the information I provide?
By law, the Census Bureau can only use your business data to produce statistics. Your informaon
will be used in combinaon with informaon from other businesses to produce stascs for your
community.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233

ABS-L1R

The Oﬃce of Management and Budget
(OMB) approval number for the Annual
Business Survey is 0607-1004.

(Draft)

REMINDER: PLEASE COMPLETE THE 2025 ANNUAL BUSINESS SURVEY
Recently, the U.S. Census Bureau mailed you a leer asking you to complete the 2025 Annual Business Survey. If
you have submitted your survey in the past few weeks, thank you. If you have not yet reported, please do so
before August 26, 2025.
Your response is required by law (Title 13, U. S. Code, Sections 224 and 225). We are required by law to keep
your response confidential (Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9).

•
•
•

Register or sign in at portal.census.gov
Add your one-time authentication code, OR locate this survey under "My Surveys," then click "REPORT
NOW."
You can return to your account over multiple sessions to complete the survey.

For help completing this survey, sign into your Census Bureau account or visit census.gov/abshelp. You can also
call our customer help line at 1-888-824-9954, Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Thank you for participating and helping business communities across the nation.
Sincerely,

Kevin E. Deardorff, Chief
Economic Reimbursable Surveys Division
U.S. Census Bureau

Emilda B. Rivers, Director
Naonal Center for Science and Engineering Stascs
Naonal Science Foundaon

census.gov/abs

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau
1201 E 10th St
Jeffersonville IN 47132-0001

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED

PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. Census Bureau
Permit No. G-58

OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Penalty for Private Use $300

ABS-L1R

(Draft)

U.S. Census Bureau Oﬃcial Correspondence

YOUR RESPONSE IS
REQUIRED BY LAW
Please Reply By
August 26, 2025

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233

ABS-L1R(N)

The Oﬃce of Management and Budget
(OMB) approval number for the Annual
Business Survey is 0607-1004.

(Draft)

REMINDER: PLEASE COMPLETE THE 2025 ANNUAL BUSINESS SURVEY
Recently, the U.S. Census Bureau mailed you a leer asking you to complete the Research Acvies at Nonproﬁt
Organizaons module of the 2025 Annual Business Survey. If you have submied your survey in the past few
weeks, thank you. If you have not yet reported, please do so before August 26, 2025.
Your response is required by law (Title 13, U. S. Code, Sections 224 and 225). We are required by law to keep
your response confidential (Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9).

•
•
•

Kevin E. Deardorff, Chief
Economic Reimbursable Surveys Division
U.S. Census Bureau

Emilda B. Rivers, Director
Naonal Center for Science and Engineering Stascs
Naonal Science Foundaon

census.gov/abs

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau
1201 E 10th St
Jeffersonville IN 47132-0001

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED

PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. Census Bureau
Permit No. G-58

OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Penalty for Private Use $300

ABS-L1R(N)

(Draft)

U.S. Census Bureau Oﬃcial Correspondence

YOUR RESPONSE IS
REQUIRED BY LAW
Please Reply By
August 26, 2025

ABS-L2

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233

Draft (12-17-2023)

PAST DUE NOTICE
Our records indicate that we have not received your 2025 Annual Business Survey. Characteriscs of your
business are essential to measuring important economic activity in the United States. Please complete the survey
online using the following information:

Respond by
Enter this code:
•
•
•

Register OR sign in at portal.census.gov
Add your one-time authentication code, OR locate this survey under "My Surveys," then click "REPORT
NOW."
You can return to your account over multiple sessions to complete the survey.

If you recently reported, you can verify your ﬁling status by clicking on “Opons” and then “Filing Status.” Look
for an entry under the “Date Received” column.
YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW and will be kept strictly CONFIDENTIAL. The U.S. Census Bureau is
authorized to collect this information under Title 13, United States Code, Sections 8(b), 131, and 182; Title 42,
United States Code, Section 1861-76 (National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended); and Section 505
within the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010. Title 13, United States Code, also requires that you
respond (Sections 224 and 225) and assures the confidentiality of the information you provide (Section 9). The
Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify your business,
organization, or institution, and use your responses only to produce statistics.
For assistance with completing this survey, sign into your Census Bureau account or visit census.gov/abshelp. You
can also call 1-888-824-9954, Mon. through Fri., 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Thank you in advance for participating and helping business communities across the nation.
Sincerely,

The Oﬃce of Management and
Budget (OMB) approval number for the
Annual Business Survey is 0607-1004.

Kevin E. Deardorff, Chief
Emilda B. Rivers, Director
Economic Reimbursable Surveys Division Naonal Center for Science and Engineering Stascs
U.S. Census Bureau
Naonal Science Foundaon

census.gov/abs

ABS-L2(N)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233

(Draft)

PAST DUE NOTICE
Our records indicate that we have not received your Research Acvies at Nonproﬁt Organizaons module of the 2025 Annual
Business Survey. This survey collects data on the important research contribuons that nonproﬁt organizaons make to U.S.
society and the economy. Results of the data collected on the survey will be used to produce crical naonal esmates of spending
on research and development. Please complete the survey online using the following information:

•
•
•

Register OR sign in at portal.census.gov
Add your one-time authentication code, OR locate this survey under "My Surveys," then click "REPORT NOW."
You can return to your account over multiple sessions to complete the survey.

If you recently reported, you can verify your ﬁling status by clicking on “Opons” and then “Filing Status.” Look for an entry
under the “Date Received” column.
YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW and will be kept strictly CONFIDENTIAL. The U.S. Census Bureau is authorized to collect
this information under Title 13, United States Code, Sections 8(b), 131, and 182; Title 42, United States Code, Section 1861-76
(National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended); and Section 505 within the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of
2010. Title 13, United States Code, also requires that you respond (Sections 224 and 225) and assures the conﬁdenality of the
information you provide (Section 9). The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could
identify your business, organization, or institution, and use your responses only to produce statistics.
For assistance with completing this survey, sign into your Census Bureau account or visit census.gov/abshelp. You can also call
1-888-824-9954, Mon. through Fri., 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Thank you in advance for participating and helping business communities across the nation.
Sincerely,

Kevin E. Deardorff, Chief
Economic Reimbursable Surveys Division
U.S. Census Bureau

The Oﬃce of Management and
Budget (OMB) approval number for the
Annual Business Survey is 0607-1004.

Emilda B. Rivers, Director
Naonal Center for Science and Engineering Stascs
Naonal Science Foundaon

census.gov/abs

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	Official Correspondence from the United States Census Bureau - ABS-L2
Subject	Official Correspondence from the United States Census Bureau
Author	U.S. Census Bureau
File Modified	2025-02-28
File Created	2025-02-14