NAICS 2022 industry USA Verified: Census NAICS 2022 · 2023-03-17
54136
NAICS 54136 — Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services
Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services
NAICS 54136 is the NAICS industry code for geophysical surveying and mapping services establishments in the United States. It forms part of the hierarchical North American Industry Classification System maintained by the Census Bureau.
Official data
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Official name | North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 2022 |
| Issuing authority | U.S. Census Bureau with OMB, Statistics Canada, and INEGI |
| Tax authority | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) |
| Purpose | Statistical business classification and federal contracting (SAM.gov, SBA standards) |
| Used in | SAM.gov registration, SBA size determinations, IRS tax classification, SEC EDGAR (via SIC crosswalk) |
| Active since | 2022 (current edition) |
| Hierarchy level | Sector (2-digit) |
| Source | https://www.census.gov/naics/ |
When do you need NAICS 54136?
1 Registering on SAM.gov for federal contracting — enter NAICS 54136 as your primary industry code.
2 Checking whether the SBA size standard for geophysical surveying and mapping services applies to your business for set-aside contracts or loans.
3 Classifying your main line of business when applying for grants, contracts, loans, or market research surveys.
4 Comparing this code against legacy NAICS 2017 records or related SIC codes for historical data alignment.
NAICS hierarchy path
Trace the classification from the broadest sector down to this national industry code.
Cross-references & crosswalks
How to register a geophysical surveying and mapping services business in the US
1
Verify NAICS classification
Confirm that Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services matches your digital services or technology activity.
3
Implement privacy compliance
Review CCPA (California), state AG privacy laws, and FTC data security guidance applicable to your user data handling.
4
Register for sales tax nexus states
Remote sellers with economic nexus must register in states where sales exceed the threshold (typically $100K or 200 transactions).
US Tax Forms & Registration
| Form Name | Who Files It | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Profit or Loss from Business | ||
| U.S. Return of Partnership Income | ||
| U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return | ||
| U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation | ||
| Self-Employment Tax | ||
| Estimated Tax for Individuals | ||
| Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) | ||
| Entity Classification Election | ||
| Nonemployee Compensation | ||
| Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return | ||
| Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return | ||
| Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification |
Entity Comparison
$
No federal sales tax in the United States. Sales tax is imposed at state and local levels, ranging from 0% to 10.25%. Economic nexus thresholds (following South Dakota v. Wayfair) require out-of-state sellers to collect sales tax once they exceed a state's revenue or transaction threshold, typically $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions per year.
No state income tax: Alaska (AK), Florida (FL), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Washington (WA), Wyoming (WY)
Who uses this code?
Digital Marketing Agency Owner
Runs a full-service agency offering PPC, SEO, content, email, and social media marketing to clients.
Licenses
- ●Business license
- ●Google/Facebook ads certification
- ●Client service agreements
Tax Forms
- ●Form 1065 or 1120-S
- ●Form 940 (FUTA)
- ●Form 941
- ●Form 1099-NEC (freelancer payments)
Freelance Web Developer
Designs and builds custom websites for small businesses, startups, and agencies using modern frameworks.
Licenses
- ●Business license (city/county)
- ●Home occupation permit (if home-based)
Tax Forms
- ●Schedule C (Form 1040)
- ●Schedule SE (Form 1040)
- ●Form 1040-ES
Mobile App Developer
Builds iOS and Android applications as an independent contractor or through their own app studio.
Licenses
- ●Business license
- ●Apple Developer / Google Play Developer account
Tax Forms
- ●Schedule C (Form 1040)
- ●Schedule SE (Form 1040)
SEO & Digital Marketing Consultant
Provides search engine optimization audits, keyword strategy, and content marketing plans for B2B and B2C clients.
Licenses
- ●Business license
Tax Forms
- ●Schedule C (Form 1040)
- ●Schedule SE (Form 1040)
Who is this code for
Occupations and roles commonly associated with this classification
Source: O*NET / BLS occupation data · O*NET 30.2 / BLS SOC
Child codes (1)
Frequently asked questions
- What is NAICS 54136?
- NAICS 54136 is the North American Industry Classification System code for Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services. It classifies this business activity for statistical, regulatory, and government procurement purposes. Federal agencies use NAICS codes to collect and publish data about the US economy, determine SBA size standards, and set aside contracts for small businesses.
- What licenses and permits does a Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services need?
- A Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services typically needs a local business license, a federal EIN from the IRS, and industry-specific permits depending on the sector. Check with your city or county clerk for a general business license, your state's professional or industry licensing board for any required occupational licenses, and your state's tax authority for a sales tax permit if you sell taxable goods or services.
- How do I register a Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services business in the United States?
- To register a Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services business, first choose your legal structure: sole proprietorship (simplest, uses SSN), LLC (personal liability protection, files with your Secretary of State), or corporation (Form 1120 or 1120-S). Register your business name (DBA) with your county if operating under a trade name. Obtain an EIN from the IRS at irs.gov/ein. Register with your state revenue department for any applicable taxes.
- What tax forms does a Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services file with the IRS?
- Tax forms depend on your entity type. A sole proprietor files Schedule C with Form 1040 and Schedule SE for self-employment tax (15.3%). An LLC taxed as a partnership files Form 1065 with Schedule K-1s. A C-Corporation files Form 1120 (21% flat rate). An S-Corporation files Form 1120-S. All businesses paying employees file Form 940 (FUTA) annually and Form 941 quarterly. Estimated tax payments are made via Form 1040-ES four times per year.
- Is Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services the right NAICS code for my business?
- Your NAICS code should reflect your primary business activity — the one generating the most revenue or value. If Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services describes your main line of business, NAICS 54136 is likely correct. If you have multiple distinct activities, you may need separate codes for statistical reporting. For federal contracting, your SAM.gov registration should use the code that best matches the work you perform. Review the official NAICS 54136 description and exclusions to confirm it fits your operations.
- Does a Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services need to collect sales tax on digital products and SaaS?
- Sales tax on digital products (software downloads, SaaS subscriptions, streaming, e-books) varies by state. As of 2025, approximately 30+ states tax digital goods and services. SaaS is specifically taxable in states like Texas, New York, Washington, and Ohio but exempt in California and Florida. Economic nexus thresholds (typically $100K revenue or 200 transactions per state) apply to remote sellers of digital products post-Wayfair. Check each state where you have customers.
- What data breach notification obligations does a Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services have?
- All 50 states have data breach notification statutes requiring you to notify affected individuals and state regulators (usually the attorney general) within a specified timeframe (typically 30-45 days) if personal information is compromised. Some states (e.g., Florida) require notification within 30 days. If the breach affects 500+ residents in a state, you may also need to notify consumer reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Healthcare breaches affecting 500+ must be reported to HHS and local media.
- What is an EULA and does a Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services need one?
- An End User License Agreement (EULA) grants users a limited license to use your software while retaining your IP rights. It differs from Terms of Service in that it focuses on license scope, restrictions (no reverse engineering, no reselling), ownership, termination conditions, and warranty disclaimers. EULAs are essential for downloadable software, mobile apps, and desktop applications. Open-source software uses specific license types (MIT, GPL, Apache 2.0) instead.
- Does a Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services need to be PCI DSS compliant to process payments?
- If your business stores, processes, or transmits credit card data, you must comply with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). Using a hosted payment gateway like Stripe or Braintree (where card data never touches your server) significantly reduces your compliance burden — you typically just need to complete a SAQ-A self-assessment. Direct card processing requires full SAQ-D compliance, penetration testing, and quarterly vulnerability scans. Non-compliance can result in fines and losing the ability to process cards.