To provide estimates of revenue and other measures for most traditional service industries. The United States Code, Title 13, authorized this survey and provided for mandatory responses.

This survey collected data from companies whose primary business or operation was to provide services to individuals, businesses, and governments (NAICS sectors 22, 48-49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 61, 62, 71, 72, and 81). Industry coverage and detail had been expanded since 1982, and included most personal, business, automotive, amusement and recreation, social welfare, health care, and other professional services. The use of expanded 1987 SIC classifications began in 1991, and the industries covered accounted for about 20% of the Nation's 1994 Gross Domestic Product.

The 2009 SAS survey was expanded to cover 55% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The industries added in the expansion included NAICS 22, 481, 483, 485, 486, 487, 488, 521, 522, 5232, 524, 531, 533, and 61.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) was used for the first time with the 1999 survey to collect data for the Service Annual Survey (SAS). The scope of the Service Annual Survey had been broadened to encompass the old Annual Survey of Communication Services and the old Transportation Annual Survey. With the implementation of NAICS, approximately 150 additional service industries were being covered. The North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) was introduced for the first time with the 2001 survey year to include the Information Sector (NAICS 51), and Computer System Design and Related Services (Industry Group 5415).

Collected data included operating revenue for both taxable and tax-exempt firms and organizations; sources of revenue and expenses by type for selected industries; operating expenses for tax-exempt firms; and selected industry-specific items. In addition, starting with the 1999 survey, e-commerce data were collected for all industries, and export and inventory data were collected for selected industries.

Data collection began in January following the survey year and continued for about 28 weeks. Reported data were for activities which took place during the calendar year.

This was a survey of approximately 78,000 selected service businesses with paid employees; supplemented by administrative records data or imputed values to account for non-employer and certain other businesses. To be eligible for the list sample, service businesses had to be in the Business Register List (BR), which contained all Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) for listed businesses and all locations of multi-establishment companies. EINs might have represented one or more establishments and firms might have had one or more EINs.

In the initial sampling, companies were stratified by major and minor kind of business, and by estimated receipts or revenue. All companies with total receipts above applicable size cutoffs were included in the survey and reported for all their service industry locations. In a second stage, EINs of unselected companies were stratified by major kind of business and receipts or revenue. Within each stratum, a simple random sample of EINs was selected.

The initial sample was updated quarterly to reflect births and deaths, adding new employer businesses identified in the business and professional classification survey, and dropping firms and EINs that were no longer active. During interim periods, service non-employer and other businesses were represented by administrative records data or imputed values.

Service Annual Survey reports were normally published no later than 13 months after the end of the survey year. Summary data (total revenue and total expenses) were provided at the sector, sub-sector, and industry group level for the survey year and past years. Detailed expense data were published for select sectors and subsectors. Industry-specific data, such as product line and detailed revenue (source of funding), were provided for selected industries. In addition, there were data for selected kinds of business by federal income-tax status (taxable and tax-exempt).

The Bureau of Economic Analysis used these data in its preparation of national income and product accounts, and its benchmark and annual input-output tables. The Bureau of Labor Statistics used the data as input to its producer price indexes and in developing productivity measurements. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) used the data to estimate expenditures for the National Health Accounts. The Coalition of Service Industries used data for general research and planning.

Trade and professional organizations used the estimates to analyze industry trends and benchmark their own statistical programs, develop forecasts, and evaluate regulatory requirements. The media used estimates for news reports and background information. Private businesses used the estimates to measure market share; analyze business potential; and plan investment decisions.

The Service Annual Survey provided the only source of annual receipts estimates for the service industries.

Prior to 1982, the survey was conducted monthly and since that time it has been conducted annually. A new sample was introduced roughly every 5 to 7 years. Services data has gone through many changes over the years. What is now the Service Annual Survey was three separate surveys, namely the Transportation Annual Survey, Annual Survey of Communication Services, and Service Annual Survey. These three surveys were collected under the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) until 1998.

Since the 1999 survey year, data has been published using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The 1998 survey year was the final year the U.S. Census Bureau published data for its annual service surveys using the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) System. These SIC based data are not comparable to NAICS. NAICS was developed jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico to provide new comparability in statistics about business activity across North America. Detailed information about NAICS and provided a comparison of the SIC and NAICS systems: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments.

Detailed information about NAICS and provides a comparison of the SIC and NAICS systems:

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments.