New search engine locates NAICS, SIC, IRS Business Activity Codes

Information Outlook, April, 2004

A new, free search engine helps librarians, accountants, business owners, and anyone who needs to identify the appropriate North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Business Activity Code (based on the NAICS system) for a U.S. business.

The URL is www.naicscode.com.

The IRS Business Activity Code is a required line on a business tax return. IRS Business Activity codes, formerly based on the SIC Code system, are now based on the 2002 NAICS system. Having the wrong code assigned may increase the risk of an IRS audit.

Information professionals who research companies for marketing have an immediate need to find the right NAICS codes, and the equivalent SIC codes, for their competitors and customers to ensure accurate analysis.

The major transition from the use of SIC codes to NAICS codes is well underway. This new search engine expands the tools for making the transition.