IfG.CC - The Potsdam eGovernment Competence Center

Businesses that received 2002 economic census forms in December for the first time may file their information electronically by Feb. 12, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Businesses that received a form are required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code) to respond. "Allowing businesses to extract data from their own spreadsheets and drop them into electronic questionnaires is a major breakthrough," said Charles Louis Kincannon, the bureau's director. "It demonstrates the Census Bureau's commitment to e-government and translates into less of a reporting burden for business."

Businesses that want to try electronic reporting may obtain information from the Census Bureau Web site at www.census.gov/econhelp. Using information they received with their paper form in December, they may download a Windows-based electronic questionnaire tailored to their business type. Businesses may file their electronic forms with the Census Bureau on a secure Internet site or via diskette.

The real payoff comes for firms with dozens or even hundreds of locations. Instead of having to complete a separate form for each establishment, businesses may import information from company spreadsheets right into the economic census software.

"Electronic reporting can significantly lower the reporting costs incurred by some of our largest and most important businesses," said Tom Mesenbourg, assistant director of the Census Bureau. "It saves us time and money as well."

In addition to accepting electronic reporting, the Census Bureau's help site offers answers to questions businesses ask most often and provides other services such as verification that their report was received.

Complementing the online help site is a toll-free help line, 800-233-6136, answered by Census Bureau employees from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

Quelle: The Business Gazette