How to Apply and Qualify For a Small Business Credit Card.note¶
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How to Apply and Qualify For a Small
Business Credit Card
BY
- OCTOBER 31, 2018
Full Disclosure: We may be compensated when you click on links to credit card products from our advertising partners, such
as American Express, Chase & Barclays. Opinions on this site are ours alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by
the issuer. See our for more details. Thanks!
Applying for a small business credit card might sound intimidating, but it’s easier than you might think. You may qualify for a
and not realize it.
Many small business credit cards participate in the same points and miles reward programs as personal credit cards. And all the points and miles
you earn from your small business can be combined with your personal stash!
This guide explains what to expect if you apply for a small business credit card. It can be easy to qualify for a small business credit card that earns
with some of our favorite rewards programs.
TABLE OF CONTENTS [ ]
Do I Qualify For a Small Business Credit Card?
Qualifying for a small business credit card isn’t difficult and usually doesn’t require lots of paperwork. But the big question is, how can you qualify
as a small business?
There are a few ways to qualify as a small business:
Common Businesses for Sole Proprietors
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/ BUSINESS OWNERS
/ CREDIT CARDS
STRATEGIES & GUIDES
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You own a legal business. If you already own a business, you can apply for a small business credit card. You will be required to submit your
Employer Identification Number (EIN) and your Social Security number. Your personal credit report will be used to determine approval for a new
credit card, so you should have good credit.
You’re starting a new business. It’s important to keep track of your finances, including keeping your personal and business expenses
separate. Small business credit cards are a useful tool for new businesses separating business and personal finances. Plus, the extra capital
can help your new business grow! Most start-ups don’t last long, so banks may look at new business applications in more detail since they
pose a higher risk.
You’re already in business (but don’t realize it). Even if your business doesn’t have a legal structure, you may qualify as a business and be
able to apply for a small business credit card. If you’re earning income from performing a service, working as an independent contractor, or
selling goods for a profit, then you’re operating a business. You don’t need to worry about creating a full business plan or even thinking of a
business name, because you are the business and business name is your name.
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Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
A sole proprietorship is the easiest way for individuals to qualify as a small business. A sole proprietor is simply a person who owns a
business and is responsible for its debts.
Sole proprietorship does not separate the business from the owner. Income and losses from the business are reported on the owner’s individual tax
return. You’ll use your Social Security number for the application. An EIN is not necessary when applying as a sole proprietor.
Common things people do that can qualify as a small business include:
Selling Items on eBay or Amazon
If you regularly or even occasionally sell goods for a profit, that’s considered a business. You might want to use your new small business credit card
to buy a new camera to photograph items for sale or pay for shipping expenses.
Homemade Goods or Arts and Crafts
Selling goods at bake sales, farmers markets, street fairs, or online markets like Etsy all qualify as a small business. Using your card to buy the
materials and supplies to make your finished product to sell is a great way to see how much you profit.
Teaching, Tutoring, or Coaching
Providing these services and others for a fee is a great business to operate. You could use your new small business credit to buy supplies or books
to improve your line of work and increase your customers.
Renting a room or apartment on AirBnB
If you’ve ever rented out your extra bedroom, vacation property, or even your house when you went away on vacation, you’re in business! There
are plenty of expenses associated with renting out a liveable space. Internet services, electricity, food, toiletries, cleaning supplies…the list goes on
and on.
Driving for Uber or Lyft or Delivering with Postmates or Caviar
Drivers working with online platforms are independent contractors and small business owners. You can use your small business credit card for gas,
maintenance, and other expenses.
BOTTOM LINE: Operating or starting a small business that qualifies isn’t as hard as it sounds, and there are plenty
of things you could already be doing to qualify you as a small business owner!
Why You Should Get a Small Business Credit
Card
Getting approved for a small business credit card comes with plenty of perks. Not only does it increase the financial flexibility of your small
business, but it also helps keep your business expenses separate from your personal accounts.
We think the biggest perk is getting more points and miles from your small business expenses. Earning business rewards can significantly increase
your ability to earn points and miles for your next big trip!
Another major perk is that small business credit cards do not appear on your personal credit report. Even though banks evaluate your personal
credit when you apply for a small business credit card, it will not impact your credit score in the long term.
Small business credit cards do not count against your that fall into that rule. You can apply and get approved for
as many small business credit cards as you want without worrying about going over the limit of 5 new accounts in 24 months. That includes
Small Business Couple
for a small business credit card
5/24 status with Chase credit cards
Chase
small business credit cards!
Another bonus is that most small business credit cards have the same rewards programs that you can combine with your personal cards.
Want to increase your Chase Ultimate Reward balance? The will help you earn (if
you have another Chase card that has an annual fee). Or you can just keep things simple and collect valuable cash-back for your business with this
card.
Need from American Express? Look into their , which
comes with some fantastic earning bonuses for spending on select categories, like 5x points on all air travel.
HOT TIP: American Express limits their welcome bonus for the same card once per lifetime, but their small business credit cards are considered a
different product from their similar personal card offerings.
One negative aspect of small business credit cards is they don’t come with the usual consumer protections that personal credit cards have. For
example, small business at any time, unlike personal credit cards.
How to Apply For a Small Business Credit Card
Image courtesy of Chase.com.
Filling out an application for a small business credit card is fairly easy. You will need to provide basic personal and business information.
Business Information
These are the most common questions you’ll find on most small business credit card applications.
Legal business name
You can use your full name as your legal business name when applying as a sole proprietor.
Business name
Your business name, or your name if you’re a sole proprietor.
Business address
When operating an independent business, your home address would be your business address.
Type of business or company structure
Here you will have the option choose between a corporation, partnership or sole proprietor.
Business category
Here, you’ll select from a wide range of business categories such as manufacturing, retail trade, and transportation services. Be sure to select the
options that best describe your business.
Federal tax ID number
If you’re applying as a sole proprietor, use your Social Security number. For businesses, your tax ID is your EIN. The format of your EIN is different
(12-345678), but has the same number of numbers as a Social Security number.
Years in business
You always want to be completely honest on credit card applications and it’s important to know how long you’ve been in business. If you’ve been
selling things for a profit off and on for a few years, you’ve been in business for a few years.
Annual business revenue
Here, you’ll report the net profit your business makes annually. As a sole proprietor, you will figure out the total amount of sales minus any operating
expenses. If your business only makes a small profit, don’t let that deter you from applying for a small business credit card. Many businesses don’t
make a profit right away, so any net gain is positive.
Number of employees
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credit cards can change their APR
If you’re applying as a sole proprietor, you are the only employee. Other businesses can order additional cards for their employees, but all charges
and fees associated with employee cards are the owner’s responsibility.
Personal Information
Image courtesy of Chase.com.
You’ll be required to provide your personal information for the bank to check your credit. Your will be the determining factor for
reviewing your creditworthiness for your small business application.
Social Security Number
If you’re applying as a sole proprietor and already provided this as your tax identification number, you will provide it again here. Other businesses
will provide the owner’s Social Security number.
Total annual income
Your gross total annual income is all the income you earn annually, including regular wages and profits from your small business.
Authorizing officer
You will be able to choose an authorizing officer for your account. If you’re applying as a sole proprietor, you’ll be the authorizing officer. Other
options include president, partner, manager, and member.
BOTTOM LINE: You don’t need a ton of paperwork to submit your small business application. You need some basic information about your
business and your personal credit information to see if you’ll be approved!
Add Employee Cards
If you’re applying as a sole proprietor, this section won’t apply since you are the only employee of your business.
Businesses with employees have the option to add additional cards for employees in the application, but you can request them later. You will need
to provide personal information about the employees, but sometimes, you will only need their first and last name.
Remember, the owner is entirely responsible for all charges made on employee cards.
Submit Your Application
It’s almost time to find out if you can get approved for a small business credit card!
You will want to review your application to ensure everything is correct, read and accept the terms and conditions, and submit.
You might quickly find out that you’ve been approved, which would be great news! American Express is also known for providing your
.
If you’re not instantly approved, you might want to give it some time for the bank to review your application manually. Most banks will allow you to
check your small business credit card application status online or by phone if you don’t feel like waiting for snail mail.
Be prepared for a phone call from the bank. They may ask you to call them, or they might call you unexpectedly.
Don’t worry; they probably want to get to know your business a little bit more, even if it’s just a side business you do for extra income. That’s
completely normal.
credit score
new small bu
siness credit card number instantly on approval