RBI purpose codes for freelancers (P0802, P0807 and more)

Common codes for freelancers

Your work	Usual code	Also seen
Software development	P0802	P0807
IT consulting	P0802	P0807
Data processing	P0803
IT support and maintenance	P0804
Management consulting	P1006
Advertising and marketing	P1007
Market research	P1016
Engineering services	P1014
Architecture	P1009
Research and development	P1008
Legal services	P1004
Accounting and bookkeeping	P1005
Tax consulting	P1015
Audio and video production	P1101
Teaching and tutoring	P1107
Writing, translation, design and other services	P1099	P1109
Licensing your work (royalties)	P0902
Referral commissions	P1019

Since SOFTEX was abolished on 1 October 2026, the line between some IT codes (P0802 and P0807, for example) is less clear. Record the code your bank or payment provider actually used. More on P0802 and P0807.

All services export codes

Code	Description
P0801	Hardware consultancy/implementation
P0802	Software consultancy/implementation (other than those covered in SOFTEX form)
P0803	Data base, data processing charges
P0804	Repair and maintenance of computer and software
P0805	News agency services
P0806	Other information services- Subscription to newspapers, periodicals, etc.
P0807	Off-site Software Exports
P0808	Telecommunication services including electronic mail services and voice mail services
P0809	Satellite services including space shuttle and rockets, etc.
P0901	Franchises services
P0902	Receipts for use, through licensing arrangements, of produced originals or prototypes (such as manuscripts and films), patents, copyrights, trademarks, industrial processes, franchises etc.
P1002	Trade related services – commission on exports / imports
P1004	Legal services
P1005	Accounting, auditing, book keeping services
P1006	Business and management consultancy and public relations services
P1007	Advertising, trade fair service
P1008	Research & Development services
P1009	Architectural services
P1010	Agricultural services like protection against insects & disease, increasing of harvest yields, forestry services.
P1013	Environmental Services
P1014	Engineering Services
P1015	Tax consulting services
P1016	Market research and public opinion polling service
P1017	Publishing and printing services
P1018	Mining services like on–site processing services analysis of ores etc.
P1019	Commission agent services
P1020	Wholesale and retailing trade services.
P1022	Other Technical Services including scientific/space services.
P1099	Other services not included elsewhere
P1101	Audio-visual and related services like Motion picture and video tape production, distribution and projection services.
P1103	Radio and television production, distribution and transmission services
P1104	Entertainment services
P1105	Museums, library and archival services
P1106	Recreation and sporting activity services
P1107	Educational services (e.g. fees received for correspondence courses offered to non-resident by Indian institutions)
P1108	Health Service (Receipts on account of services provided by Indian hospitals, doctors, nurses, paramedical and similar services etc. rendered remotely or on-site)
P1109	Other Personal, Cultural & Recreational services

Codes that don't mean export income

If a payment for your work is recorded under one of these, ask your bank or provider to correct it, because the payment won't count as export earnings:

Code	Description
P1301	Inward remittance from Indian non-residents towards family maintenance and savings
P1302	Personal gifts and donations
P1401	Compensation of employees

Source: RBI A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84 dated 29 February 2012, Annex I (receipts).