# Top 4 Business Credit Cards for Sole Proprietors in 2026 Compare the best business credit cards for sole proprietors. No LLC or EIN required. Apply with your SSN and start earning rewards on business expenses. **URL Source:** https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/business-credit-cards-for-sole-proprietors --- Top 4 business credit cards for sole proprietors in 2026 ### Introduction If you run a one-person business, you can qualify for a business credit card. Freelancers, consultants, independent contractors, gig workers, and anyone else earning self-employment income can apply at most major issuers using just their Social Security number. You don't need an LLC, a registered business name, or an EIN to apply. The right business credit card depends on where you spend and what you're trying to accomplish. Cash back cards work well for sole proprietors with predictable monthly expenses like software, advertising, and phone bills. Cards with introductory 0% APR periods are useful for sole proprietors planning a significant purchase. Credit-building cards give sole proprietors with a thin or damaged credit file a path to better options over time. And for owners who later form an eligible U.S. business entity, some corporate cards, including Brex, remove the personal guarantee requirement and underwrite based on the business rather than the owner. This article covers how to qualify, what to look for, how a business card affects your personal credit, and how to build business credit from scratch as a sole proprietor. If you already know you want a card and just need to pick one, the card comparison section is near the top. ### The 4 best business credit cards for sole proprietors Each card below targets a different type of sole proprietor, from those building credit for the first time to those with excellent scores looking to maximize rewards. The full write-up on each covers annual fee, APR, rewards structure, drawbacks, and who the card actually suits. Ink Business Cash Credit Card The Ink Business Cash is a no-annual-fee business credit card with tiered cash back rates that favor specific spending categories. Sole proprietors whose expenses concentrate in telecom, internet, and office supplies will earn at higher rates than those with more varied spending. The card comes with a 0% introductory APR period on purchases, which provides a window for larger investments without immediate interest cost. Key details - **Annual fee**: $0 - **APR**: 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months from account opening, then 16.74% to 24.74% variable - **Typical spending limit range**: Varies based on personal creditworthiness; reviewed for increases at least every six months Key benefits - 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services - 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually at gas stations and restaurants - 1% cash back on all other purchases with no cap - Purchase protection covering new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per item - Extended warranty protection adding one year to eligible manufacturer warranties of three years or less Drawbacks - The 5% and 2% category rates each apply to the first $25,000 spent annually in their respective categories, after which those purchases earn 1% - Sole proprietors with spending outside the bonus categories will earn only 1% on the majority of their purchases - Approval is based on personal credit, and a personal guarantee is required - The credit limit you receive will reflect your personal financial profile rather than your business revenue Who this card is best for The Ink Business Cash works best for sole proprietors whose monthly spending concentrates in telecom and office categories like internet, phone, cable, and office supplies. The 5% rate on those categories is among the highest available on a no-annual-fee card, and for a sole proprietor spending a few hundred dollars a month in those areas, it compounds quickly. Those whose spending is more varied may find the tiered structure delivers less value than a flat-rate card. The Blue Business CashTM Card from American Express The Blue Business Cash card earns a flat 2% on all purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% after that. There's no annual fee and no category tracking required. For sole proprietors who spend above the $50,000 threshold, the rate drops significantly, which is a meaningful limitation for higher-volume operations. Key details - **Annual fee**: $0 - **APR**: 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months from account opening, then 16.74% to 26.74% variable - **Typical spending limit range**: Varies; Expanded Buying Power feature allows spending above your credit limit in some cases Key benefits - 2% cash back on all purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year - Cash back is automatically credited to your statement, requiring no active redemption - Introductory 0% APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening - Expanded Buying Power gives flexibility to spend above your credit limit when business needs require it Drawbacks - The 2% rate drops to 1% after $50,000 in annual spending, which limits returns for higher-volume sole proprietors - Approval and limits are tied to personal credit history, and a personal guarantee is required - The credit limit you receive will reflect your personal financial profile rather than your business revenue Who this card is best for The Blue Business Cash works best for sole proprietors who want flat-rate rewards on mixed spending and whose annual business spending stays below $50,000. The 2% rate on everything can be a meaningful upgrade over most flat-rate competitors, and the automatic statement credit redemption means there's nothing to manage after you swipe. Those spending above that threshold will see their rewards rate decline meaningfully, so higher-volume sole proprietors should run their numbers before applying. U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa Business Card The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards card offers [0% APR business credit cards](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/0-apr-business-credit-cards) terms on both purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles and earns 3% cash back in select categories. The category rewards come with limitations worth understanding before applying, including a cap on gas purchases and a requirement for 11 consecutive months of software spending to unlock the annual software credit. Key details - **Annual fee**: $0 - **APR**: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles, then variable ongoing rate applies - **Typical spending limit range**: Varies based on personal creditworthiness; employee cards are free Key benefits - 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants - 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases with no cap on total rewards - 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the Travel Center - 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles - $100 annual statement credit applied after 11 consecutive months of eligible software service purchases Drawbacks - Gas and EV charging purchases over $200 earn only 1%, not 3%, which limits the category reward for sole proprietors making larger fuel purchases - The $100 software credit requires 11 consecutive months of eligible purchases before it applies, meaning it won't benefit sole proprietors who miss even one month - The intro APR on balance transfers comes with a 5% transfer fee (minimum $5), which reduces the value of moving existing balances to this card - Cash rewards expire if there is no account activity for 12 consecutive statement cycles - A personal guarantee is required and the credit limit will reflect your personal financial profile rather than your business revenue Who this card is best for The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards works best for sole proprietors who need to finance a large purchase and want to pay it down interest-free over 12 billing cycles. The 0% intro period on both purchases and balance transfers gives it more flexibility than cards that only cover new purchases, which is useful if you're also carrying existing debt you want to consolidate. The 3% category rewards add ongoing value once the intro period ends, as long as your spending consistently falls within the eligible categories. Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard Secured The Bank of America Business Advantage Secured card is a [secured business credit card](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/secured-business-credit-cards) available to sole proprietors who don't yet meet the credit requirements for standard business cards. It requires a security deposit of at least $1,000 to open, which becomes your credit limit. The 26.74% variable APR makes carrying a balance costly, so this card functions best for those who can pay in full each month. Key details - **Annual fee**: $0 - **APR:** 26.74% variable - **Typical spending limit range**: Equal to your security deposit, with a $1,000 minimum required to open the account Key benefits - 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no annual cap; rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open - Flexible redemption options including deposit into a Bank of America checking or savings account, statement credit, or a mailed check - Zero liability protection for unauthorized transactions, plus purchase protection against loss, damage, theft, and fire - Travel accident insurance up to $100,000, plus auto rental insurance, emergency ticket replacement, and lost-luggage assistance Drawbacks - The 26.74% variable APR is high, and carrying a balance even briefly can become expensive quickly - The security deposit requirement ties up capital that a sole proprietor might need for operating expenses - Your credit limit is capped at your deposit amount, which may feel restrictive as business expenses grow - Transition to an unsecured card is at Bank of America's discretion and is not guaranteed - A personal guarantee is required Who this card is best for The Bank of America Business Advantage Secured works best for sole proprietors who are building credit from scratch and need a structured way to establish credit history while running their business. The deposit requirement and high APR make it a card to use carefully and pay in full each month, but for someone who can't yet qualify for a standard business card, it's one of the few options that earns rewards while building a credit profile. For those enrolled in Business Advantage 360, access to Dun and Bradstreet business credit scores is a practical tool for tracking progress toward qualifying for better products over time. ### How business credit cards for sole proprietors compare at a glance The four cards on this list are [no annual fee business credit cards](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/no-annual-fee-business-credit-cards), which means your rewards don't need to offset a subscription cost before you break even. This table gives you a quick reference for the variables that matter most in the decision. ### Can a sole proprietor get a business credit card? A sole proprietorship is a legitimate business structure to get a business credit card, even if it doesn't always feel like one. Understanding [how business credit cards work](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/how-do-business-credit-cards-work) makes the application process much less daunting. From a credit card issuer's perspective, you're a business owner generating income, and that's what matters. Most major issuers explicitly accommodate sole proprietors in their applications, often with no additional requirements past what any other small business would face. The reason this works is that sole proprietors and their businesses are legally the same entity. There's no separation between you and your business, which actually simplifies the application process. Issuers don't need to evaluate a separate corporate entity because you are the business, and your personal financial history is the underwriting basis for approval. What sole proprietors need to qualify for a business credit card The [minimum credit score for a business credit card](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/minimum-credit-score-needed-for-business-credit-card) varies by product and issuer, but approval for most sole proprietor cards comes down primarily to your personal credit score. A FICO score in the 670 to 690 range is a commonly cited benchmark for good credit, though requirements differ across issuers and some cards aimed at credit-building accept lower scores. Because you and your business are legally one, your personal financial standing is the proxy for your business's creditworthiness. Some issuers may also ask for estimated annual revenue and monthly business expenses. If you're just starting out, you can enter honest estimates rather than established figures. Proof of income isn't always required, but having recent tax returns or business bank statements on hand is useful if an issuer asks. ### What to fill out in your business credit card application as a sole proprietor One of the most common points of confusion for sole proprietors applying for a business credit card is the tax identification number field. Most applications ask for an Employer Identification Number, which can make it seem like you need one to proceed. You don't. Sole proprietors who haven't obtained an EIN can enter their Social Security Number instead, and most issuers accept this without issue. An EIN is a tax ID the IRS assigns to businesses, and it's required if you have employees or operate as a corporation or partnership. As a sole proprietor with no employees, you likely don't have one, and you aren't required to get one just to apply for a card. If you do have an EIN because you obtained one voluntarily or for another purpose, you can use that instead. Once you incorporate, [EIN-only business credit cards](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/best-business-credit-cards-with-ein-only) become available and can remove the personal credit check from the equation. Business name and revenue If your sole proprietorship doesn't have a formal business name, enter your legal name. That's not a workaround or a shortcut. It's the standard practice for unregistered sole proprietors and issuers expect it. If you operate under a DBA name, use that. For revenue, enter your honest annual business income. Some issuers allow sole proprietors to include personal income alongside business income in the revenue field, which can strengthen an application. When in doubt, read the application language carefully since some fields specify business revenue only. Your personal address and phone number are fine for the business contact fields if you don't operate from a dedicated location. The application isn't designed to screen out home-based businesses, and sole proprietors routinely list personal contact details without issue. Personal guarantee requirements When you apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor, you'll agree to a [personal guarantee](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/personal-guarantee). This means you're personally responsible for any balance on the card. If the business can't pay the bill, the issuer can pursue you personally for the debt. For most sole proprietors this isn't a dramatic shift since there's no legal separation between you and your business to begin with, but understanding it clearly before you apply matters. The personal guarantee also means that late payments or defaults on a business credit card can affect your personal credit. Issuers handle reporting differently. Some report all activity to consumer credit bureaus while others only report negative events. Check how your specific issuer handles this before you submit an application, because the reporting policy isn't always easy to find and it's worth confirming directly. For sole proprietors who incorporate and want to remove the personal guarantee entirely, [cards with no personal guarantee](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/business-credit-cards-with-no-personal-guarantee) like Brex underwrite based on the business's cash position and revenue rather than personal credit, which changes both the approval process and the liability structure. ### How sole proprietors can apply for a business credit card The process to [apply for a business credit card](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/how-to-apply-for-business-credit-card) is straightforward for most sole proprietors, and many issuers return a decision within minutes. Knowing what to have ready before you start saves time and reduces the chance of inconsistencies that can trigger a manual review. Check your personal credit score before you apply Because your personal credit history is the primary underwriting basis for most sole proprietor business cards, knowing your score before you apply lets you target cards where you're a realistic candidate. Applying for a card that requires excellent credit when your score is in the good range results in a hard inquiry that temporarily dips your score without producing an approval. Most major bureaus offer free score access, and several card issuers offer pre-qualification tools that give you a sense of your approval odds without a hard pull. Gather what you'll need before you start Most applications ask for the same core set of information. Having it ready before you open the form prevents you from abandoning a partially completed application, which some issuers treat as a signal worth flagging during underwriting. You'll typically need your legal name, which doubles as your business name if you don't have a registered DBA. You'll need your home address for the business address field if you don't operate from a separate location, your Social Security Number or EIN, an estimate of your annual business revenue, an estimate of your monthly business spending, and the date you started earning self-employment income. Some issuers also ask for your industry type, which you can select from a dropdown. If you're asked for proof of income and don't have a full year of business tax returns, recent bank statements showing consistent deposits work as a substitute at most issuers. Submit and know what to expect Most online applications take under fifteen minutes to complete if you have your information ready. Many issuers return an instant decision. Others route applications to manual review, which can take a few business days, typically when something in the application warrants a closer look or the issuer wants to verify income. Once approved, some issuers provide a digital card number you can use immediately for online purchases while the physical card is in transit, though this varies by issuer and card product. Activate the card as soon as it arrives and set up autopay for the full statement balance before you make your first purchase. That single habit eliminates the risk of carrying a balance into a high interest rate and makes the card work the way it's designed to. ### Why sole proprietors are better off with a business credit card than a personal card Sole proprietors report business income and expenses on Schedule C when they file their taxes. If you've been running business expenses through a personal card, you already know how tedious it is to go through a year's worth of statements and separate what was business from what wasn't. A dedicated business card eliminates that problem because every transaction is already categorized as a business expense. The cleaner your records, the easier it is to identify [what business expenses are tax deductible](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/expense-management/what-business-expenses-are-tax-deductible), support those deductions if you're ever audited, and hand accurate numbers to an accountant. If you carry a balance on a business expense, a dedicated card also gives you the clean documentation you need to [deduct credit card interest for business](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/can-you-deduct-credit-card-interest-for-business). How sole proprietors can protect their personal credit score Understanding whether [business credit cards affect personal credit](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/do-business-credit-cards-affect-personal-credit) is one of the most important questions to answer before you apply. Personal credit cards report everything to consumer credit bureaus, including your utilization rate, which can pull your score down even when you're paying the balance in full each month. A business card keeps that spending off your personal credit report at most major issuers, but not all of them handle reporting the same way. Some issuers report business card activity to consumer bureaus, meaning your utilization, payment history, and balance show up on your personal credit report just as if the card were a personal card. Capital One is a well-known example, and policies can vary by card product within the same issuer. Choosing [business credit cards that don't report to personal credit](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/business-credit-cards-that-dont-report-to-personal-credit) is the most direct way to keep business utilization off your personal profile entirely, and it's worth confirming the reporting policy for the specific card you're applying for before you submit. If your issuer does report to consumer bureaus, paying your balance in full each month reduces the window during which high utilization might be reported, since issuers typically report balances as of your statement closing date. Keeping your balance well below your credit limit on that date limits the impact, but it's not a permanent fix. The cleaner move is to confirm reporting behavior upfront rather than managing around a card that doesn't work in your favor. Rewards sole proprietors leave on the table by using a personal card Business credit cards are built around the spending categories that business owners actually use, things like advertising, software subscriptions, office supplies, internet service, and travel. Personal cards are calibrated for consumer spending patterns, which often don't match how sole proprietors spend month to month. If you're putting a few thousand dollars in business expenses on a personal card with a flat rewards rate, you're likely earning significantly less than you would with a card optimized for business categories. Most sole proprietors don't notice until they run the numbers. A business credit card also gives you a short-term cash flow buffer that a personal card can't replicate as cleanly. The grace period between your statement closing date and payment due date gives you three to four weeks before the bill comes due, which matters when client payments run on net-30 terms and income doesn't arrive on a straight line. ### How sole proprietors can build business credit from scratch Your personal credit history doesn't automatically become business credit history. They're tracked by different bureaus using different scoring models, and most lenders that extend business financing look at business credit when evaluating an application. As a sole proprietor, you likely have no business credit file when you start, which means you're invisible to business lenders until you build one. A strong business credit profile makes it easier to get higher credit limits, better financing terms, and access to products that aren't available to businesses with thin credit histories. Learning how to [check your business credit score](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/how-to-check-your-business-credit-score) regularly is the first step toward managing that profile actively. If you ever want to take on a lease, purchase equipment, or open a business line of credit as your work grows, you'll want that profile already in place. Starting early is the only real shortcut. Getting a DUNS number as a sole proprietor Understanding how the [business credit bureaus](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/business-credit-bureaus) work makes this step much clearer. Dun and Bradstreet is one of the primary ones, and your DUNS number is your identifier in their system. Sole proprietors can register for one at no cost through the Dun and Bradstreet website. Having a DUNS number establishes you as a distinct business entity in their database, which is the prerequisite for payment history to count toward a D&B credit score specifically. Other bureaus like Experian Business have their own onboarding paths, so a DUNS number is a strong starting point rather than the single unlock for all business credit history. The application is straightforward, but Dun & Bradstreet says delivery can take up to 8 business days and the process can otherwise take up to 30 business days. You don't need to have incorporated, and you don't need an EIN. A sole proprietor with a business name, address, and phone number can register and receive a number. Choosing an issuer that reports to business bureaus If [building business credit without using personal credit](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/how-to-build-business-credit-without-using-personal-credit) is part of your goal, issuer reporting practices are a non-negotiable filter. The [best business credit cards for building credit](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/business-credit-cards-for-building-credit) report your payment history to Dun and Bradstreet, Experian Business, or Equifax Business. Not all of them do. Before you apply, confirm this. Using a card that only reports to consumer bureaus won't help your business credit at all, even if you pay on time every month. This catches a lot of sole proprietors off guard because it runs counter to the assumption that responsible card use always builds credit somewhere. Payment habits that build your profile over time The mechanics of building business credit are similar to building personal credit, but there are a few differences worth understanding. On-time payments are the foundation, and business credit scoring models weight payment promptness heavily. Dun and Bradstreet's PAYDEX score, for example, is built almost entirely around whether you pay on time or early. Keeping your utilization rate below 30% of your credit limit is a reasonable target, and lower is generally better. Some sole proprietors make the mistake of thinking that a zero balance helps most. In practice, some regular usage paired with full monthly payoff tends to signal healthy financial behavior to bureaus more than an account sitting dormant. Where sole proprietors often go wrong is using business credit cards inconsistently, charging heavily in one quarter and going dormant in the next. Regular, moderate use with full monthly payments builds the kind of [business tradelines](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/business-tradelines) that create the strongest credit profile over time. It doesn't require hitting a specific spend threshold. ### Key factors when choosing a business credit card as a sole proprietor Not every business credit card is built with a sole proprietor in mind. Before you apply, it's worth knowing which variables actually move the needle for a one-person operation so you can filter out the noise and focus on what matters. Credit limits that fit how sole proprietors actually spend Understanding [business credit card limits](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/business-credit-card-limits) before you apply helps you set realistic expectations. Most personal credit cards aren't built for business-level spending, and the limits reflect that. Business credit cards generally offer higher limits, which matters when you're covering project costs, stocking up on supplies, or managing uneven cash flow between client payments. As a sole proprietor, you're the only one managing that timing, so having adequate credit available gives you room to operate without constantly watching your balance. If you're applying with just your SSN and personal credit history, your limit will reflect your personal financial profile rather than your business revenue. Set your expectations accordingly before you apply. Rewards that match your spending categories The strongest business credit card for any sole proprietor is the one whose bonus categories align with where you already spend. A card that rewards software subscriptions and internet service makes sense for a freelance developer. A card optimized for travel and dining makes more sense for a consultant who's frequently on the road. Picking a card based on advertised rewards rates in categories you rarely use is how sole proprietors end up leaving money on the table. Flat-rate cash back cards are worth considering if your expenses are spread across too many categories to benefit from a tiered structure. Earning a consistent 2% on everything is often better in practice than earning 5% in one category and 1% on everything else. The simplicity also removes the mental overhead of tracking whether a given purchase qualifies for a bonus rate. Fees relative to the rewards you'll earn Annual fees aren't inherently bad, but they need to be justified by the rewards and benefits you'll realistically use. Run the actual numbers before you decide. Take your typical monthly spend in each category, apply the rewards rate, multiply by twelve, subtract the annual fee. If that number beats what a no-fee card would return on the same spending, the fee pays for itself. Foreign transaction fees deserve equal attention if you work with international clients or travel for business. A 2% to 3% surcharge on every cross-border transaction adds up quickly and can quietly offset a strong domestic rewards rate. If any meaningful share of your spending happens outside the US, treat foreign transaction fees as a dealbreaker rather than a minor footnote. If you're planning a significant upfront purchase, a card with a 0% intro APR period lets you spread that cost across 12 months or more without interest. Divide the total by the number of months in the intro period and pay that amount monthly without exception, since the rate after the intro period ends is typically high. Whether the card reports to business credit bureaus Not every business credit card builds your business credit profile. Some issuers report only to consumer bureaus, which means your on-time payments aren't building the separate business credit history you need to access better financing terms later. Before applying, confirm whether the issuer reports to Dun and Bradstreet, Experian Business, or Equifax Business. If building business credit is part of your plan, this is a non-negotiable filter, not an afterthought. It's also worth asking whether the issuer reports to all three or only one. A card that reports only to Dun and Bradstreet builds your D&B profile but leaves gaps at Experian Business and Equifax Business, which some lenders pull independently when evaluating applications. Building across multiple bureaus over time gives your business the strongest position when you eventually need financing that a credit card alone can't provide. The personal guarantee and what it means for your finances Nearly every business credit card available to sole proprietors requires a personal guarantee. That means you're personally liable for the balance, which for most sole proprietors isn't a dramatic shift since there's no legal separation between you and your business anyway. What it does mean is that defaults or late payments can follow you personally, and that distinction matters if you ever plan to apply for a mortgage, personal loan, or other personal financing. For sole proprietors who incorporate and want to remove the personal guarantee entirely, options like Brex underwrite based on the business's cash position and revenue rather than personal credit, which changes both the approval process and the liability structure. That's a meaningful shift for anyone who plans to scale the business or take on financing down the road, since it keeps your personal assets out of the equation from the start. Customer service you can reach A business credit card becomes a liability if you can't get support when something goes wrong. Disputed charges, fraudulent transactions, and card declines at critical moments all require fast resolution. Look for issuers that offer dedicated business support lines, responsive chat, and around-the-clock availability. User reviews that specifically mention dispute resolution and response times are more informative than general ratings when you're evaluating this. ### The corporate card option once you move beyond sole proprietorship A business credit card tied to your SSN and personal credit gets you started, but it has a ceiling. Your credit limit reflects your personal financial profile, not your business revenue. The personal guarantee means your assets are on the line. And the card's relationship to your business credit score depends entirely on whether your issuer reports to the right bureaus. When you form an LLC or corporation, that changes. Brex is built for eligible registered U.S. businesses, including C-corps, S-corps, LLCs, and LLPs and underwrites based on the company's cash balance and revenue rather than the owner's personal credit. There's no personal guarantee, no personal credit check, and no ceiling tied to your individual financial history. Credit limits can run up to 30x higher than traditional cards, and the rewards structure reaches 7x on rideshare, with strong multipliers across travel, restaurants, and software as well. The transition also comes with infrastructure that sole proprietors operating on a standard small business card don't have access to, including built-in expense management, receipt capture, accounting integrations, and partner discounts worth more than $350,000 across services like AWS, Slack, QuickBooks, and Gusto. For a business that's starting to grow a team and manage more complex spending, that infrastructure matters as much as the credit limit. If you're still operating as a sole proprietor, the cards in this article are the right starting point. When you incorporate, [Brex](https://www.brex.com/product/credit-card) is the logical next step. ### _This article reflects Brex's perspective at the time of publication and is intended for general informational purposes. Information may change over time._ ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Do sole proprietors need a registered business to get a business credit card? Formal business registration isn't a requirement most issuers impose on sole proprietors. You can apply using your legal name, your personal address, and your Social Security Number. The underlying requirement is that you're generating business income, not that you've filed paperwork with a state agency. ### What should a sole proprietor enter for business name on an application? If you don't operate under a registered business name, your own legal name is the right answer for that field. Issuers that serve sole proprietors expect this and it won't affect your application. If you do have a DBA name you use consistently in your business, you can use that instead, though DBA registration rules vary by state and some jurisdictions require filing with a local authority before you can use the name commercially. ### Can sole proprietors get a business credit card with bad credit? Options narrow but don't disappear. Our guide to the [easiest business credit cards to get](https://www.brex.com/spend-trends/corporate-credit-cards/easiest-business-credit-cards-to-get) covers secured cards and other accessible options in detail. Secured business credit cards require a deposit that becomes your credit limit, which can improve your approval odds even with a thin or damaged credit file, though issuers still apply credit standards and approval isn't guaranteed. A year of on-time payments on one of those builds enough history to qualify for a standard card with actual rewards. The more useful question is how damaged the credit is and why. A score in the low-to-mid 600s from a rough patch a few years ago is a different situation than an active delinquency or recent bankruptcy. If the issue is recent, a secured card is the right starting point. If it's an older mark that's beginning to age off, it may be worth checking pre-qualification tools at a few issuers before assuming you need to go the secured route. Some issuers weigh the full picture rather than filtering on a single number. ### Is a business credit card for a sole proprietor different from a business credit card for an LLC? The card products themselves are often the same. What differs is the application process and the liability structure. When an LLC applies for a business credit card, the business is a separate legal entity, which can offer some liability protection depending on how the account is set up. That said, most standard small-business cards still require a personal guarantee even when the applicant is an LLC, so forming one alone doesn't automatically remove your personal liability on an existing card. Moving away from the personal guarantee typically means transitioning to a corporate card product like Brex that underwrites on business financials rather than personal credit. Many of the same card products are available to both structures. ### Can a sole proprietor add contractors or employees as authorized users? Adding authorized users to a business credit card is standard practice and something most issuers support. As a sole proprietor you may not have full-time employees, but if you work with contractors you want to give card access to, authorized user functionality works the same way it does for any other business account. Most issuers let you set individual spending limits per authorized user and receive alerts when they make purchases, which gives you visibility without micromanaging every transaction. You remain responsible for all charges on the account, including those made by authorized users. That's worth being explicit about with anyone you add, particularly contractors who may not think of themselves as accountable for the spending in the same way you do. A quick conversation about what the card should and shouldn't be used for goes a long way before you hand over access. ### What happens to a sole proprietor's business credit card when they form an LLC? Forming an LLC doesn't automatically transfer your existing business credit card to the new entity. The account was opened in your name as a sole proprietor and is tied to your personal credit. If you want a card under the LLC, you'd typically apply for a new account in the LLC's name once it's formed. Some issuers may allow a conversion, but that's not universal, so confirming with your issuer directly when the time comes is the right move. It's also worth noting that the credit history on your sole proprietor card doesn't carry over to the LLC's new credit profile. You're starting that business credit file from scratch, which is another reason to get your DUNS number and set up reporting relationships early once the LLC is active. The good habits you built as a sole proprietor still matter, just on a new account under the new entity. ### Should sole proprietors use a business card or a personal card for a side hustle? A business card tends to be the cleaner choice even for side income, primarily because it keeps business expenses in a separate statement from day one. That separation simplifies tax time and makes it easier to see whether the side work is actually profitable once you account for all the costs. 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