Many NAHB members own more than one construction-related enterprise. Diversifying your business can help boost your bottom line, but can make things a little complicated when it comes to tax return preparation.
When completing your tax return, it is important to properly classify your business that provided your principal source of income. These codes for the Principal Business or Professional Activity classify sole proprietorships by the type of activity they are engaged in to facilitate the administration of the Internal Revenue Code. These six-digit codes are based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
Line A of Form 1040 Schedules C and C-EZ requires a Principal Business or Professional Activity description to be entered. Select the category that best describes your primary business activity within the construction industry (refer to the list below). If you owned more than one business, you must complete a separate Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ for each business.
Line B of Form 1040 Schedules C and C-EZ also requires a Principal Business or Professional Activity description to be entered. However, this code should represent the activity that best identifies the principal source of your sales or receipts (i.e. your principal customers or clients). Refer to the table of codes listed below or Instructions for Schedule C, (PDF) Profit or Loss From Business. (Here’s the URL for the online Schedule C Instructions: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sc.pdf)
Professional Business or Professional Activity Codes
for the Construction Industry
Construction of Buildings
236200 Nonresidential building construction
236100 Residential building construction
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
237310 Highway, street, & bridge construction
237210 Land subdivision
237100 Utility system construction
237990 Other heavy & civil engineering construction
Special Trade Contractors
238310 Drywall & insulation contractors
238210 Electrical contractors
238350 Finish carpentry contractors
238330 Flooring contractors
238150 Glass & glazing contractors
238140 Masonry contractors
238320 Painting & wall covering contractors
238220 Plumbing, heating & air-conditioning contractors
238110 Poured concrete foundation & structure contractors
238160 Roofing contractors
238170 Siding contractors
238910 Site preparation contractors
238120 Structural steel & pre-cast concrete construction contractors
238340 Tile & terrazzo contractors
238290 Other building equipment contractors
238390 Other building finishing contractors
238190 Other foundation, structure, & building exterior contractors
238990 All other specialty trade contractors
Additional Resources
http://www.nahb.org/biztools — The easiest way to get the solutions you need to face tough business management challenges.
This Building Business Brief can be sent to you via e-mail. For more information, contact Jill Tunick at 1-800-368-5242, ext. 8461, or by e-mail: mailto:jtunick@nahb.com. This material may be reprinted in NAHB newsletters and member education materials.