Economic Census questionnaires: Better late than never

It is important (and legally required) for Hawai‘i nonprofits to complete and return the Economic Census forms many of us received from the Census Bureau in December. The Economic Census is the best indicator of how large and economically significant Hawai‘i’s nonprofit sector is – and it happens only once every five years. Our friends at the U.S. Census Bureau sent HANO this note:

To:   State Data Center, Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations 
From:  Economic Census, U.S. Census Bureau

If past experience is any indication, there are probably still many businesses in your area that have not yet completed their 2007 Economic Census forms. But missing the Feb. 12 due date shouldn't relieve their sense of urgency for getting in the forms. Many very small businesses were not sent a form, and no action is required from them, but businesses that received a form in December are required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code) to complete and return it.

In March, we will send a follow-up letter, and in many cases, a second copy of the census form, to any business from which we have not received a response. Help us save tax dollars by encouraging businesses in your area to file their form right away.

Please do what you can to promote business response in the Economic Census, late though it may be. Some State Data Center affiliates have passed our messages on to other government agencies or to local media, who in turn were able to send messages to their business constituencies or readers. We have provided a sample message below, but feel free to customize it as appropriate for your audience.

You might hear from businesses that are having difficulty completing their forms. Please encourage them to get help or request a 30-day extension at http://business.census.gov or by calling (800) 233-6136. If you need more information about the 2007 Economic Census, please contact Robert Marske, Laurie Torene, or Paul Zeisset at (877) 790-1876, or econ2007@census.gov.

Businesses: Don’t hold out on America

If your business received a 2007 Economic Census form in December, and you returned it on time, the Hawai‘i Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations thanks you. But if you missed the Feb. 12 deadline, we urge you to seek a 30-day extension and complete the form as soon as possible. Many very small businesses were not sent a form, and no action is required from them, but businesses that received forms are required by law (Title 13 of the U.S. Code) to respond.

In today’s changing economy, timely and relevant facts and figures are essential for sound business and government decision making. The Economic Census is the primary benchmark for measuring 96 percent of the gross domestic product. Ben Bernanke has said, “The Economic Census is indispensable to understanding America's economy.”

Businesses can request a 30-day reporting extension, or get help with their form, via the Internet (http://business.census.gov) or by calling a toll-free number (800) 233-6136 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. If your company received but has not yet returned the 2007 Economic Census form, do it now. The rest of us are waiting for you.