MA-1000

(Annual Survey of Manufacturers)

To view FAQs which pertain to the 2002 Economic Census, but do not pertain to a particular form,
please click here The Economic Census

Questions

General

1. Are any reports generated from the data collected in the Annual Survey of Manufactures?

Yes. Statistics for Industry Groups and Industries reports provide industry statistics for the U.S. about 12 months after each year. Data include industry shipments, value added, inventories, materials, employment, hours and payroll.

Value of Product Shipments reports provide estimates of the value of product shipments at the product class level and multi-industry products, about 12 months after the year.
Geographic Area Statistics reports provide additional data at the industry group level for each state about 12 months after the year. Data are for the U.S. and each state, and additional data include payroll supplements.
Exports From Manufacturing Establishments reports provide estimates of the value of exports and related employment by industry, state, and state by selected industry, about 36 months after the year.

For more information on manufacturing reports go to The Manufacturing Page.

2. Can estimates be used to complete the report form?

Yes. A good estimate is acceptable if book figures are not available for specific items. We do not expect businesses to incur additional expenses to develop information not available from their records.

3. How do I request a time extension?

If you require additional time to complete the questionnaire call the 800 number listed in your package. Have your CFN ready.

4. How do I request additonal forms?

To request additional forms, call the 800 number listed in your package or back to top

5. How do I update the name/address on the report?

Make any necessary changes directly on the report form. Physical location address changes should be made in the appropriate item on the report form.

6. How is the Annual Survey of Manufactures carried out?

A mail-out/mail-back survey of 55,000 selected establishments and administrative data for small employers and new businesses. The mail survey represents all establishments that received a form in the previous census of manufactures.

Some 25,000 large establishments (all establishments of multi-unit companies with shipments of at least $500 million, manufacturers of selected computer products, and all remaining establishments with at least 250 employees) are selected with certainty, and some 30,000 other establishments (generally with the equivalent of 20 to 250 employees) are selected with probability proportional to a composite measure of establishment size. Selected establishments receive a long form; except that, to reduce burden, about 5,000 single-establishment firms from industries with large numbers of small firms (that have between 5 to 20 employees) receive a short form.

The mail survey universe is updated annually from three sources; Internal Revenue Service Administrative records are used to include new single-unit manufacturers, the company organization survey identifies new establishments of multi-unit firms, and a manufacturers classification survey identifies kinds of business.

7. How often is the Annual Survey of Manufactures conducted?

Annually since 1949; reported data are for activities taking place during the survey calendar year. For census years, data collection is part of the economic census. A new panel is selected every 5 years.

8. How should I report Inventories?

Inventory values that are owned by this establishment should be reported regardless of where the inventories are stored. Inventories that are centrally stored for a multi-location company (operates at more than one physical location) should be assigned to each responsible establishment as if separately owned by them.

9. I sold my company (this plant or establishment) during the year. What should I report?

Please complete the report form for the portion of the year that you owned the establishment. The establishment may have been purchased singlely or as part of a parent company which was acquired by or merged with another company. Please make certain that the date of the change in ownership is recorded in Item 11A, OPERATIONAL STATUS.

10. Last year I received an MA-1000 form for a particular plant or establishment and this year I did not receive one. Should I have received a form?

The Annual Survey of Manufactures is a sample survey between Economic Census years. Because it is a sample it is possible that you will not receive an MA-1000 form for an establishment.

Sample changes occur after the Economic Census and it is possible that your establishment was not selected this time.

11. My company is not a manufacturer. What should I do?

If you do not manufacture products at the location shown in the address box of the report form, please indicate the nature of your business in the remarks section and return the form to us. Please note that establishments engaged in the activities listed below are considered to be manufacturing establishments for the purpose of this survey:

Apparel jobbing and contracting
Assembling from purchased components
Ship repair
Commission processing of materials owned by others
Job casting, stamping, and machining
Lapidary work
Machine shops, including those operating on a job-order basis
Manufacturing and delivering ready-mixed concrete
Milk pasteurizing and bottling
Plating, galvanizing, polishing, etc., of materials owned by others
Poultry dressing
Printing
Research and development, engineering and other services directly related to aerospace industries
Sawmills
Seafoods, fresh-packaged or frozen
Wood preserving

12. My company maintains records on a fiscal year basis. Can I report for my fiscal year?

We prefer the data to be reported for the calendar year. If calendar year book figures are not available except at considerable cost, reasonable estimates will be acceptable. However, if your fiscal year ends between October 31 and February 28, fiscal year figures will be acceptable for all items except employment, plant hours, and payrolls. (Calendar year figures for these employment items should be available from your quarterly tax records.) Indicate in Item 12, CERTIFICATION, the exact dates covered. If there was a change in operator during the year or the establishment operated part of the year only, the data should apply to the period of operation by your company only. Report in Item 11B, Operational Status, any change and give the name and address of the previous operators or new operators.

13. My company's Employer Identification Number is different from that listed on the MA-1000. What should I do?

Enter in Item 1a the current Employer Identification Number if it is different from the one in the address label.

This information is needed so that we can avoid sending duplicate report forms to the same location.

14. My electric costs are included in the monthly rent of my facility. How should I report my electric costs on Item 8d?

If electric costs are included in the monthly rent, obtain an estimate from the landlord of your facility as to the portion of the monthly payment that is used for electric costs.

15. The preprinted prior data on my MA-1000 is incorrect. Is it OK to change this information?

Yes. Please correct any incorrect information and cite any differences in the remarks portion of the form.

16. We don't manufacture textiles, we are converters of textiles. Why did I receive this form?

The definition of the textile finishing industry includes establishments of converters that buy textiles in the grey, have them finished on contract, and sell at wholesale

17. What are some examples of Parts that should be included in the Cost of Materials?

Bags
Barrels
Bearings
Boxes
Compressors
Containers
Crates
Drums
Engines
Gears
Hardware
Motors
Pails
Pumps
Tubes
Wheels

18. What are some examples of of types of Supplies that should be included in the Cost of Materials?

Acetylene
Bolts, Screws, Nuts
Cleaning Supplies
Dunnage
First Aid/Safety Supplies
Drills, tools, dies (Charged to Capital Accounts)
Fixtures (Charged to Capital Accounts)
Stationery/Office Supplies
Water (If used to manufacture ice, consider a material)
Welding Rods, Electrodes

19. What are some examples of types of materials to be included in the Cost of Materials?

Alcohols
Cement
Clay
Cloth
Coking Coal
Copper Rods
Cotton
Crude Petroleum
Glass
Iron Castings
Lumber
Metal Stampings
Paper
Plywood
Resins
Rubber
Steel Scrap
Steel Sheet
Sulfuric Acid
Wire

20. What do I include in Annual Payroll (Item 3a)?

Report the payroll which was included on IRS Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Form Return), and the payroll portion of the fee paid to a professional employer organization as part of co-employment or leased employment arrangement.

INCLUDE: Deductions for an employee's Social Security contributions, withholding taxes, group insurance premiums, union dues, and savings bonds.

Include in the gross earnings:

commissions
dismissal pay
paid bonuses
employee contributions to pension plans such as a 401(k)
vacation and sick leave pay, the cash equivalent of compensation paid in kind

Also include salaries of officers of this establishment, if incorporated.

EXCLUDE:

Payments to proprietors or partners
Payments to agricultural employees, fisherman, members of the Armed Focrces, and pensioners carried on your active payroll

21. What economic programs are related to the Annual Survey of Manufactures?

The Economic Census - Manufacturing Sector Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey
Quarterly Financial Report
Industrial Products
Standard Statistical Establishment List

For information on these programs go to the The Manufacturing home page.

22. What if sales are not kept by location?

Estimates by location are OK.

23. What is excluded from Cost of Materials?

Materials that are bought but not put into production or consumed (these should be reported in the Inventories Item). Depreciation charges against the plant and equipment (rent and rental allowances, interest payments, royalties and patent fees). Machinery and equipment chargeable to fixed asset accounts (these should be reported in the Capital Expenditures Item). Materials, supplies, machinery and equipment used in the construction of new structures or additions to the plant that are charegeable to the fixed assets account (these should be reported in the Capital Expenditures Item). Overhead costs (advertising, telephone, insurance, engineering and marketing charges) UNLESS charges for such services are included in the price of the materials.

24. What is included in Cost of Materials?

Report the delivered cost of materials. That is, the amount paid or payable after discounts, including freight and other direct charges incurred by the establishment in aquiring the materials. If the establishment produces items subsequently consumed in further production, ONLY report the cost of original materials consumed. INCLUDE: Materials consumed from inventories and materials shipped to this establishment from other establishments of the same company.

25. What is included or excluded from sales?

Include:

Cash sales
Credit sales
Service receipts

26. What is meant by "establishment"?

An establishment is defined as a single physical location where manufacturing is performed.

27. What is the coverage of the Annual Survey of Manufactures?

All establishments that are classified in Manufacturing Sector and have at least one employee.

28. What is the purpose of the Annual Survey of Manufactures?

To provide detailed annual statistics on the location, activities, and products of U.S. manufacturers.

29. What should I include in Plant Hours Worked by Production workers?

INCLUDE: All hours worked or paid for, except hours paid for vacations, holidays or sick leave. If an employee elects to work during the vacation period, report only actual hours worked by the employee.

Overtime should be reported as actual hours worked and not as straight time equivalent hours.

Report hours worked by co-employees or leased employees as part of a co-employment arrangement with a professional employers organizations.

30. What type of content does the Annual Survey of Manufactures cover?

Topics covered are the same as for the economic census, but product detail is less. Basic data obtained include kind of business, location, ownership, value of shipments, payroll and employment.

Additional data collected include cost of materials, inventories, new capital expenditures, fuel and energy costs, hours worked and payroll supplements.

31. Where can I get information about Census publications?

Visit the publications page for information about Census Bureau publications.

32. Where should I include the cost of contract work?

If any contract work was done by others on materials furnished by your establishment, report the total payments made during the year for such work, including freight in and out in Item 8e. EXCLUDE: The cost of materials worked on, which should be reported in 8a.

33. Why is there a certification question on the forms?

This item certifies that the form has been completed accurately and according to instructions.

The company contact name and telephone number provides us with a contact if any questions regarding the reported data arise.

Electronic Reporting

34. Can I import data into the CSAQ software?

Yes. Importing data into the software must be done according to the importing format. Detailed instructions on importing data is available in the software's help system.

35. Does the electronic software cost anything?

No. The software is provided to you at no charge.

36. How can I send data electronically to the U.S. Census Bureau?

You may submit your data electronically using the MA-1000 CSAQ software via the Internet or diskette or you may transmit via modem.

37. How do I add a manufacturing plant(s) to the MA-1000 CSAQ software?

You can not add plants to the MA-1000 software. Your company should have also received the Report of Organization (Form NC-9901). Add any new manufacturing plants to the NC-9901 form, adding as much information as possible. Be sure to note that the added establishment is a manufacturing plant in the Remarks section. Our databases will be updated for the next survey year, and we will send you the MA-1000 software with the added plant(s).

38. I am having problems installing the CSAQ. Where do I go for help?

Contact for assistance with installation of the CSAQ.

39. What is a CSAQ?

Computerized-Self-Administered Questionnaire. A CSAQ is an electronic rendering of a questionnaire that controls the flow of survey questions. It provides interactive help and performs various edit checks as you complete the questionnaire.

40. Where do I report fuels used as raw materials in the production of a product?

Fuels uses as raw material in the production of a product should be reported in item 6a Cost of Materials, Parts, Containers, etc. Used. Fuels used as fuel in the production of a product should be reported in Item 6c Cost of Fuels in the Cost of Materials Item

Legal Requirements

41. Can my company be exempt from filing the census forms?

Because of the mandatory reporting requirement, the Census Bureau cannot excuse your company from filing. For more information on mandatory reporting, see the legal requirements page.

42. How is the information from the Annual Survey of Manufactures used?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses these data to calculate annual productivity series, update producer price indexes, and calculate weights for new index components. The Federal Reserve Board uses the data to prepare the Index of Industrial Production. The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the data to prepare annual GDP updates and weights for GDP deflators. The Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration uses the data to evaluate and forecast industrial activity.

State and local agencies use the data to plan trade and economic policies. Private industry and trade associations use it to plan operations, analyze markets, and make investment and production decisions. In addition, the Annual Survey of Manufactures provides the best single measures of current U.S. manufacturing industry outputs, inputs and operating status, and the primary basis for updates of the Longitudinal Research reports.

43. How long will it take for me to complete the MA-1000 form?

Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average from a half hour to six hours per response with an average of 3 and half hours per response , including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed , and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

44. Is my data confidential?

Title 13 of the United States Code provides complete protection for all reported information. Census forms, including copies retained by respondents, are immune from legal action. Also, Federal law specifically exempts the reports from the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

45. What is the legal authority for the 2001 Report of Organization and Annual Survey of Manufactures?

Title 13, United States Code requires firms to complete questionnaires sent to them. For more information on Title 13, please see legal information.

46. When do I need to return my completed MA-1000?

The MA-1000 form is due within 30 days of receipt.

47. Where can I view Title 13, United States Code?

Visit to view the Code that authorizes the Census Bureau to collect data from companies and protects that data.

48. Who sees my completed report forms?

Individual reports are seen only by sworn Census Bureau employees and only for the purpose of developing statistical totals and summaries. Census publications provide no information about an individual firm's operations.

Reporting Problem/Non-Data Related

49. Are copies of forms acceptable for filing?

Yes. Please be sure that all data, including the label information, are legible.

50. Can anyone from the Census Bureau assist my company with reporting data?

Since approximately 5 million companies are mailed forms, we cannot send someone to personally help every business. However, business are not expected to incur extra expenses to develop information not available from records. If book figures are not available, ESTIMATES are acceptable.

If the instructions provided with the forms, or the information on this web site do not answer your concerns, a Census Bureau analyst can call you. Please go to the contact us page and call or email us.

51. I have forms for old and new EINs. What should I do?

The form showing the old EIN should have the new one entered, and an explanation regarding the change in the remarks section. Report data for both EINs on the form with the correct EIN; staple the forms together and return to the Census Bureau.

52. My business does not have an address (as such). What should I report?

Describe the physical location referencing distances from cities, major highways, shopping centers, etc. (i.e., 1/2 mile south of Boise on Route 728).

53. What should I report if my company EIN has changed?

Please enter the new EIN on the form and explain in the Remarks section when the change occurred. Complete the form for the full year.

54. Where is the EIN located on my form?

The EIN can be found in the second line of the address label immediately following the letters "EI".

Internet Specific

55. If the answer to my question is not found in the FAQ's or I just need to talk to a Census Bureau representative, what do I do?

Call 1-800-201-4657 or 301-457-4643 or 301-457-4755 or you may write to US Census Bureau 1201 East Tenth St. Jeffersonville, IN 47132-0001

Item 3

56. What do I include in Employment (Item 2)?

Report the number of employees, both full and part time, whose payroll was reported on IRS form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Form Return), and employees whose payroll was paid to a professional employer organization as part of a co-employment or leased employment arrangement for all or part of the pay period including the 12 of March, May, August, and November.

INCLUDE: All persons on paid sick leave, paid holidays, paid vacation during these pay periods.

If this establishment is a corporation include the officers of the corporation.

EXCLUDE: Members of the Armed Forces and pensioners carried on your active rolls.

If this is an unincorporated concern, exclude proprietors or partners.

The following types of food processing establishments should exclude agricultural workers or fishing crews from this report:

Sugar Mills which are part of sugar plantations.
Fruit or vegetable canning or freezing plants with farms associated with their operations.
Fish canning, freezing or packaging plants with fising operations associated with plant.

57. What does Item 3C ? Employer?s Cost for Fringe Benefits? include?

Legally required payments for all programs required under Federal and state legislation:

Federal Old Age and Survivors? Insurance
Unemployment compensation Workers? compensations
State temporary disability payments for establishment located in Rhode Island, California, New York and New Jersey
Payments for voluntary programs not specifically required by Federal or state legislation whether initiated by the employer or established as a result of a collective bargaining contract.
INCLUDE employer?s cost for fringe benefits costs paid to a professional employer organization as part of a co-employment arrangement.
Employer payments to programs financed jointly by employer and employee contributions. Include employer payments for:

Insurance premiums on hospital and medical plans
Life insurance premiums
Premiums on supplementary accident and sickness insurance

In reporting payments for insurance, report net payments (i.e., gross payments less any offsetting dividends, refunds, or other reductions in premiums).
Report payments or allocations for:

All pension plans regardless of method of administrations
Supplemental unemployment compensation plans
Welfare plans
Stock purchase plans in which the employers? payment is not
Subject to withholding tax
Deferred profit sharing plans

The items listed above are generally considered as deferred rather than current income to employees and are not subject to withholding of income tax. If the payments or allocations by the company are made to a fund, do not report payments to employees out of these funds. However, include payments made directly to retired employees or their survivors that do not pass through a fund.

Item 8

58. What does the Cost of Purchased Electricity include (Item 8d)?

Report the total amount actually paid or payable for electric energy purchased during the year from other companies, or received from other establishments of your company.

EXCLUDE: The value of electricity generated and used at this establishment.

59. What should I report in Cost of Fuels Consumed for Heat and Power? (Item 8c)

Report the total amount of actually paid or payable during the year for all fuels consumed for heat, power, or the generation of electricity.

INCLUDE:

Anthracite and bituminous coal, coke, natural and manufactred gas, fuel oil, liquified petroleum gas, gasoline, and all other fuels including purchased steam.

For selected industries such as Carbon Black, Blast Furnaces, and Coke Ovens, some of the above fuel types may be used as raw materials as well as being consumed as fuels.

In such cases, the cost of these fuel types used as raw materials should be reported in item 8a. Be sure to include fuel used to power onsite trucks, fork lifts, or or other motor vehicles associated with the establishment in Item 8c.

Item 10

60. Our company only does a portion of the work on this product. It is sent to another of our domestic plants to be finished. I'm sure they are reporting this information to you, so should I really be reporting this information?

Yes. Please report this information in (Item 10c) Shipments to Other domestic Plants of Your Company for Further Assembly, Fabrication, or Manufacture.

61. What do I do if I don't see any of my establishments products listed in Item 10a?

Please enter a description for the product(s) your establishment produces in item 10a column (a) and enter the value in column (c) Report seperately for each major kind of product produced.

62. What should I report for the Value of Products Shipped and Other Receipts?

In general, you should report the value of assigned products shipped net selling value (Factory on Board) after discounts and allowances.

INCLUDE:

Value of products made elsewhere on a contact basis from materials supplied by this establishment
Shipments to other establishments (interplant transfers) of the company for further manufacturing, processing or assembly

If products are leased (rather than sold), report as the value of shipments the equivalent market value of the goods.

EXCLUDE:

Freight charges and excise taxes
Resales or sales of products bought and resold without further manufacturing
Rental receipts for leases outstanding

Item 6

63. What do I include in Capital expenditures (Item 6)?

Capital Expenditures are a capital outlay that is chargeable to the fixed assets account and for which depreciation or amortization reserves are maintained.

INCLUDE:

Capital Expenditures during the year that were actually made during the year, not the final value of equipment put in place or the buildings completed during the year

Capital improvements and new additions in progress are considered assets, as well as capital expenditures

Capital Expenditures during the year for new construction whether on contract or by your own work force

Value of all machinery and equipment, buildings, and capitalized improvements and repairs whether purchased or produced by employees of your own company

Value of any machinery and equipment or structure transferred to the use of the of this establishment b the parent company or one of its subsidiaries

For Buildings and Other Structures:

Elevators, blast furnaces, brick kilns, fractionation toweres, ship ways and similar structures, as well as the usual factory, office and warehouse -type of buildings

Equipment that is an integral part of the building or structure, such as elevators, overhead cranes, ventilating shafts, and fractionation towers

Capitalized site improvements, such as roads, tracks, parking lots, fences, and utilities

Machinery and Equipment:

All production machinery (motors, lathes, punch presses, etc.,) and transportation equipment (automobiles, trucks, etc.,)
All office equipment and machines; computers; furniture and fixtures for offices, caterieas and dressing rooms; and warehouse equipment

Item 5

64. What is LIFO?

Last In - First Out method of inventory valuation. See MA-1000 Instructions, page 3. Or view pdf.

Item 9

65. What are Resales?

Resales are products purchased and resold without further manufacturing, processing or assembly and should be included in the Resales line of the Value of Products Shipped and Other Receipts (Item 9a).

Cost of Resales should be included in (Item 7A) Cost of Materials, Parts, containers, etc. , used.

U.S. Census Bureau: Helping You Make Informed Decisions