Last updated October 12, 2020
NAICS Codes for LLCs
If you’re forming an LLC with one of our free 50-state LLC guides, there’s a chance the state where you are filing will ask for an NAICS Code.
What is an NAICS Code?
An NAICS Code (North American Industry Classification System) is used by government agencies to identify your LLC’s line of business and activities. It’s mostly used for statistical purposes.
Some states (like Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and New Mexico) will ask for your NAICS Code.
It’s optional in some states, and in other states, it’s a requirement.
NAICS Code Lookup Instructions for your LLC
You can search for your LLC’s NAICS code here: https://www.naics.com/search/
You can either search by keyword or browse by industry.
To search by keyword, in the “NAICS Keyword Search” box, enter the first word of your business industry (ex: “restaurant”, “landscape”, “retail”, “real estate”, etc.) and then click “Submit”. Scroll through the list until you find your industry and its NAICS Code.
Alternatively, to browse by industry, just scroll underneath the search box and you’ll see a list of industries which you can click on.
If you can’t find your exact industry, just use the closest thing to it.
If you need help determining the NAICS Code for your LLC, you can contact the US Census Bureau at 1-888-756-2427 for assistance. This page also has answers to frequently asked questions.
What Should I list as my LLC’s purpose?
The rules around what to list for your LLC’s business purpose depend on the state where you are filing.
For details on your state’s requirements, check out our free 50-state LLC guides.
Some states allow for a “general purpose”. Example: “The purpose of this LLC is to engage in any and all lawful activity under the laws of the State of {enter state name}.”
If your state allows general purpose, then you can use the above text.
If not, you’ll need to list a few words or sentences about what your LLC does. It doesn’t have to be extremely specific, and you are not going to be forced to do this forever.
You can always change the purpose of your LLC at any time.
You can enter just a few words, (ex: “pizza shop”, “real estate investing”, “landscaping”, etc.), or a short sentence (ex: “restoration of old cars”, “life coaching services and products”, etc.)
What if I can’t find an NAICS code that matches my LLC’s activities?
Again, if you can’t find your exact industry, just use the closest thing to it.
If you need help determining the NAICS Code for your LLC, you can contact the US Census Bureau at 1-888-756-2427 for assistance. This page also has answers to frequently asked questions.
References
https://www.naics.com/history-naics-code/
