Introduction

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent agency of the U.S. Congress, is currently reviewing the way companies are formed in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. This review was requested by the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The focus of the review is non-publicly traded, for-profit corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs).

This survey is a major part of GAO's review. We encourage you to complete the survey to help us understand how companies are formed in your state. Please coordinate your responses with others in your office if doing so will enhance the completeness and accuracy of your answers. We plan to summarize the procedures and practices used across the states in a report to the U.S. Congress. Your responses will contribute in a significant way to that report.

Thank you in advance for your help.

What You Need to Know to Complete the Survey

Please do not use the "Enter" key on your keyboard to navigate through the survey. If you inadvertently use the enter key, the screen may freeze up or you may be sent to another survey question. Please log off and start your session over again if you hit the "Enter" key.

To move from section to section: Use the "Previous section" or "Next section" buttons at the bottom of each screen or the "Sections" menu bar on the left side of the screen. The middle arrows at the bottom of the screen will also move you back or forward one section.

To exit: Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the button that says "Exit." Your responses will be saved. Always use the "Exit" button to close the survey. If you do not, you will lose any information you have entered in that section. Until the Web site closing date, you may reopen and work on your survey. When you reopen the survey, it will restart at the last response you entered.

To restart your survey: Log on to the survey using your user name and password. The survey will restart at the point where you exited.

To change your answers: To change an answer marked with a "button" (circle), click on another option. Note: You can change your answers, even after logging off, by logging on again (see above).

To skip nonapplicable questions: If the response you wish to choose has a highlighted area next to it and the words "click here to go to Question x," click on the highlighted area instead of the circle. When you do that, the circle to the left of the response will be automatically filled in and you will be taken to the next applicable question in the survey.

To print your responses: Click on the "Print this section" button at the end of each section or at the end of the survey. We summarize all of your responses on a single page that you may print.

Suggestion: Print this section for future reference.

Questions About the Survey?

	If you have any questions about this survey as you proceed, please contact us. You can access the names shown here online by clicking on the "?" button at the bottom of each screen. [The name, e-mail address and telephone number of two GAO staff appeared here] We will make every effort to respond within 24 hours of receiving your email or call.

When You Have Completed the Survey

	When you have completed the survey, please click on "Submit responses" after the last question and then exit the survey. This will submit your responses to GAO. We cannot use your answers unless you complete this step. It lets us know that you are finished, and that you want us to use your answers. It also lets us know not to send you any follow-up messages reminding you to complete your survey.

Full Report: GAO-06-376

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