Error message "schedule C: principal business code must be entered. Enter a valid 6 digit bus. activity code". What is the "activity code"? I have 7 digit Payer's TIN #.

"I'm in the smart check phase of my federal tax return and got an error message,"schedule C: principal business code must be entered. Enter a valid 6 digit business activity code...". My husband had 2 1099-MISC documents that I entered the info. I don't understand what the error is or what other info I'm suppose to enter. What is the "6 digit business activity code"? I only have the Payer's TIN # which is 7 digits.

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1 Best answer

New Member

Jun 1, 2019 11:51:21 AM

It's asking for the 6 digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) known as business activity codes.

Click on the link, NAICS, to find your husband's business activity, and enter the code in TurboTax.

See the screenshot example.

Related information:

New Member

Jun 1, 2019 11:51:21 AM

It's asking for the 6 digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) known as business activity codes.

Click on the link, NAICS, to find your husband's business activity, and enter the code in TurboTax.

See the screenshot example.

Related information:

New Member

May 14, 2021 4:35:59 PM

Where can this code be found?

Expert Alumni

May 15, 2021 9:11:59 AM

You can find the code in a dropdown box on the same screen it asks for the code. Type in the description of your job. You can also find it here on pages 17 and 18.

@Granddaughters

New Member

Mar 31, 2022 2:16:34 PM

Why does it keep asking me for this info? I am not self employed...

Expert Alumni

Mar 31, 2022 3:00:28 PM

I suspect that you have entered an IRS Form 1099-NEC (or 1099-MISC) and the TurboTax software has determined that the income reported on the 1099 should be reported as self-employment income.

The income would be reported on IRS Form 1040 Schedule C and an NAICS code is required.

See this TurboTax Help.

@aaron110

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Error message "schedule C: principal business code must be entered. Enter a valid 6 digit bus. activity code". What is the "activity code"? I have 7 digit Payer's TIN #.