By Gayle Sato
Edited by Michelle TipswordDo You Need a Business to Get a Business Credit Card?
By Gayle SatoEdited by Michelle Tipsword
Quick Answer
You don’t need a formal business, or business income, to get a business credit card. Sole proprietors, freelancers, independent caregivers and online sellers can all benefit from business cards.
You don't have to own a major corporation to benefit from a business credit card. A business card lets you make convenient transactions, finance purchases, streamline your accounting and establish business credit, even if your business is small.
You can get a business credit card without a traditional business if you make money independently. That could be a sole proprietorship, part-time gig, consulting work or selling goods on the side. Here's what you need to know about business credit cards and how to get one if you're a nontraditional business owner.
Do You Need a Business to Get a Business Credit Card?
You can get a business credit card even if you don't own a corporation or LLC. A sole proprietorship, startup, side hustle or home-based business may qualify, depending on individual card requirements. Here are a few examples of nontraditional businesses that may be eligible for business credit cards:
- Reselling items online on sites like Depop, Etsy, Poshmark or Facebook Marketplace
- House sitting, babysitting or pet sitting
- Rideshare or food delivery driving
- Renting properties on sites like Airbnb or VRBO
- Leasing apartments or homes as a property owner
- Freelance writing or editing
- Business consulting
- Tutoring, teaching or training
- Building websites
- Operating a food truck or food cart
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Can You Get a Business Credit Card Without Business Income?
Yes, you can get a business credit card with little or no business income. This may be true whether your startup is "pre-revenue" or your weekend catering business is sporadic. If your business income is spare (or nonexistent), card companies will generally use your personal income and credit score to qualify you for an account.
Benefits of a Business Credit Card
Although business credit cards have their pros and cons, using a business credit card for business expenses has some distinct advantages. Here are a few things you can do with a business credit card that you can't do with your personal card.
- Establish business credit: A business credit card can help you build your business credit score, which is helpful if you want to secure business loans or financing in the future. To help you establish business credit, your card issuer must report to a business credit bureau (Experian, Dun & Bradstreet or Equifax).
- Simplify accounting: Using a dedicated business card makes it easier to track business expenses for bookkeeping and tax reporting. Even better, some business cards categorize spending for you.
- Separate business and personal finances: Maintaining separate business and personal finances is key for corporations and partnerships that want to conduct themselves as separate business entities. As a sole proprietor, you benefit by demonstrating to the IRS that you are a legitimate business and not a hobby.
- Finance inventory and expenses: Having a credit card gives you a line of credit when you have large purchases to finance or need to manage cash flow; for instance, if you purchase goods or services for clients and get paid back later.
- Pay securely: Credit cards are a convenient and secure way to pay when you're making large purchases or doing transactions online. You can also set up cards with spending limits for your employees, providing them with a safe and easy way to make purchases for your business.
How to Get a Business Credit Card
If your business is small, plan to provide information on yourself as well as your business on your credit card application. Don't exaggerate business income or try to overstate the size or scope of your business. Instead, look for a card that fits your business. Here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Check Your Credit Score
If your business is new or a sole proprietorship, chances are good that your card issuer will check your personal credit and make an approval decision based on that. For businesses that haven't established much (or any) business credit, this might be good news. As with personal credit cards, a higher credit score typically qualifies you for lower interest rates and better terms.
You can check your Experian business report by purchasing a one-time copy or signing up for business credit monitoring. Just be aware that if you haven't opened business accounts before or your business is brand new, you may not have a business credit score. If you're not sure where your personal credit stands, you can get your credit scores and credit report for free anytime with Experian.
Learn more: How Do I Qualify for a Small Business Credit Card?
2. Find the Right Card
Different business cards cater to different types of businesses. Look for a small business credit card that caters to your size and style of business. Also consider credit requirements. Many business credit cards require excellent personal credit, although you can find business cards for applicants with good personal credit (a FICO® ScoreΘ of 670 to 739) as well as secured cards for business owners just starting out.
3. Gather Necessary Information
In addition to your full name, address, Social Security number and annual income, be prepared to provide the following information:
- Business name, address and phone number
- Industry
- Business structure (corporation, partnership, LLC, nonprofit or sole proprietorship, for example)
- Your role in the business
- Years in business
- Number of employees (if any)
- Annual business revenue
- Estimated monthly expenses
- Federal tax ID number (Employer Identification Number for corporations and partnerships, Social Security number for sole proprietors)
4. Compare Rates, Fees, Rewards and Benefits
Choosing a business credit card is similar to choosing a personal credit card, but with a different set of considerations. In sizing up different accounts, think about how you're likely to use your card and what features might benefit you most.
- Do you need a low rate or low fees? If you plan to use your card for major purchases—to purchase inventory or equipment, for example—look for a card with an ample credit limit and the most favorable interest rate. If you only intend to use your card for minor expenses that you'll pay off each month, consider shopping for a card with low fees.
- What are the fees and costs? Business credit cards typically charge annual fees, transaction fees and late fees. Review these charges before signing your card agreement. Also, business cards tend to have higher annual percentage rates (APRs) than personal credit cards. Check and compare rates before choosing the right card for you.
- What are the rewards and benefits? Many business credit cards offer rewards, cash back, sign-up bonuses or 0% promotional rates on purchases or balance transfers. If you're an active card user, these benefits add up. Also look for potentially useful perks, such as free additional cards for your employees, waived foreign transaction fees or travel rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
No matter how small your business may be, having a business credit card to make large transactions, finance equipment or inventory, smooth out your cash flow and establish business credit may be worthwhile. If you're in the market for a business card, start by checking your credit report and scores for free from Experian. From there, choose the card with the most competitive interest rate, fees and benefits, and give your business the credit it deserves.
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About the author
Gayle Sato
Gayle Sato writes about financial services and personal financial wellness, with a special focus on how digital transformation is changing our relationship with money. As a business and health writer for more than two decades, she has covered the shift from traditional money management to a world of instant, invisible payments and on-the-fly mobile security apps.
Read more from Gayle