U.S. businesses with foreign ownership or foreign affiliates may be required to file BE forms with the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). These filings are not tax returns—they are mandatory economic surveys used by the U.S. government to track foreign direct investment (FDI). The most common filing is BE-12 (Benchmark Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States), but businesses may also be subject to BE-13, BE-15, BE-10, or other BEA forms, depending on ownership changes, transactions, or reporting cycles. Failure to file required BE forms can result in civil penalties, fines, and potential criminal liability, even if the business has no revenue or activity. Our BEA Reporting Service ensures all applicable BE forms are identified, prepared, and filed accurately and on time—protecting your business from unnecessary enforcement risk.
We assess your ownership structure, voting interest, and transaction history to determine which BE forms apply.
We prepare and file BE-12 and any other required BE forms (BE-13, BE-15, BE-10, etc.) accurately and in line with BEA instructions.
You receive filing confirmation and guidance on future BEA reporting obligations and deadlines.
What is BE-12?
BE-12 is a benchmark survey reporting foreign ownership of U.S. businesses, required periodically by the BEA.
Are BE forms tax filings?
No. BE forms are economic surveys, separate from IRS tax returns—but they are legally mandatory.
Do I need to file if my company had no income?
Yes. Zero activity does not remove the filing requirement if ownership thresholds are met.
What happens if I ignore BEA filing notices?
Failure to file can lead to civil penalties and potential criminal liability under federal law.
Can you help if I missed a prior BE filing?
Yes. We assist with late filings and compliance remediation.
If you’re not sure which plan fits your situation, start with the structured intake below. We’ll review your details and guide you to the cleanest compliance path.