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IRS Schedule C, line B

Business code for consulting

The IRS business code for consultants is 541600, Management, scientific, & technical consulting services. Depending on the work, also check 541510, 541330 or 541990.

541600 covers most consulting. IT, engineering, architecture, legal and accounting consultants have their own codes.

Also searched as: consultant, business consultant, management consultant, independent consultant.

Best match

541600 Management, scientific, & technical consulting services

Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services

Management, marketing, HR, environmental and other scientific or technical consulting (NAICS 5416).

NAICS 2022: 541611, 541612, 541613, 541614, 541618, 541620 and 1 more (541611–541690)

Matched in the Census NAICS:

Other codes to check

541510 Computer systems design & related services

Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services › Computer Systems Design & Related Services

IT consulting: computer systems design, software and hardware consulting (NAICS 5415).

NAICS 2022: 541511, 541512, 541513, 541519

Matched in the Census NAICS:

  • 541512 Computer Systems Design Services
    • Computer hardware consulting services or consultants
    • Computer software consulting services or consultants
    • Computer systems integration design consulting services

541330 Engineering services

Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, & Related Services

Engineering consulting (NAICS 541330).

NAICS 2022: 541330

Matched in the Census NAICS:

541990 All other professional, scientific, & technical services

Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services

Professional services that fit none of the codes above (NAICS 5419).

NAICS 2022: 541990

Not quite your business?

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Search “consulting” in the business code lookup

Questions

What is the IRS business code for consultants?

541600 (Management, scientific, & technical consulting services): management, marketing, HR, environmental and other scientific or technical consulting (NAICS 5416). Also check 541510 (Computer systems design & related services), 541330 (Engineering services), 541990 (All other professional, scientific, & technical services).

Where do I enter the business code?

On Schedule C (Form 1040), line B. The IRS instructions say to enter the six-digit code from the Principal Business or Professional Activity Codes chart, for the activity that is the principal source of your sales or receipts.

What is the NAICS code for consultants?

IRS code 541600 covers NAICS 541611–541690. The Census NAICS lines that match consultants are under 541613, 541620, 541612. Government bids, SAM.gov and the SBA size standards use the six-digit NAICS code, not the IRS code.

Source: Internal Revenue Service, Instructions for Schedule C (Form 1040) (2025), “Principal Business or Professional Activity Codes” (public domain); NAICS lines from the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 NAICS. PublicBeam is independent and not affiliated with the IRS or any agency. This is not tax advice: always check the current IRS instructions before you file.