[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 82 (Monday, April 29, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25059-25060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09977]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Business and 
Professional Classification Report (SQ-CLASS)

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before June 28, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Scott Handmaker, Chief, Economic Classifications 
Operations Branch, U.S. Census Bureau, 8K149, Washington, DC 20233, 
Telephone: 301-763-7107; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Business and Professional Classification Report survey (SQ-
CLASS) collects information on new businesses to obtain proper industry 
classification for use in economic surveys conducted by the U.S. Census 
Bureau. The survey, conducted quarterly, samples businesses with newly 
assigned Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) from the Internal 
Revenue Service (IRS). Businesses can only be selected once for the 
survey. The SQ-CLASS form collects data about a business in such areas 
as primary business activity, company structure, size, and business 
operations. This information is used to update the sampling frame for 
current business surveys, which ensures high quality economic 
estimates. Additionally, by ensuring proper industry classification,

[[Page 25060]]

this survey reduces respondent burden for the five-year Economic 
Census, as businesses will be mailed Economic Census forms specifically 
tailored to their industry.
    We plan a few changes to the form. Most of the changes to the 
questionnaire will be aesthetic. The questionnaire will be redeveloped 
in the Census Bureau's standard form design software. This will give it 
the look of the other Census Bureau's economic surveys and the Economic 
Census. Minimal changes will be made to the wording and organization of 
existing questions and instructions to ensure consistency across the 
economic surveys and/or the Economic Census.

II. Method of Collection

    Information is collected by Internet, mail, fax, and telephone 
follow-up.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0189.
    Form Number: SQ-CLASS.
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: Businesses and other organizations in the United 
States.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 52,000 business firms.
    Estimated Time per Response: 13 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,267 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $340,489.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S. Code 182 and 193.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: April 23, 2013.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-09977 Filed 4-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P