In the world of business, the lines between personal and business finances can sometimes blur. This is particularly true during the early stages of entrepreneurship. Many business owners rely on credit cards or funds to support their ventures. Unfortunately, this approach poses several challenges, especially relating to increased personal liability and potential tax issues down the line.
While it is true that you can use your personal credit card for business expenses, have you considered transferring personal debt to your business? This post explores the distinctions between personal and business credit and offers practical steps to transfer personal credit to your business effectively.
Personal vs. Business Credit: What are the Differences?
To understand the process better, let us quickly examine the differences between personal and business credit. Here are some facts about personal credit:
- Used for personal expenses like buying a car and home
- Personal liability for any debts incurred
- Connected to the Social Security Number (SSN)
- Reported to consumer credit reporting agencies like Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian
- Credit scores range from 300 to 850
- Subject to consumer protection laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
Meanwhile, here are some things to know about business credit:
- Used for business expenses like purchasing equipment and inventory
- Utilized for managing operational costs and cash flow
- Tied to Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Liability for debts is on the business and not the individual owner
- Reported to business credit bureaus like Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax Business, and Experian Business
- Credit scores range from 0 to 100 (or 0 to 300, depending on the credit reporting bureau)
Payment history and length of that history, credit utilization, and types of credit used are some of the factors that affect both personal and business credit.
Can You Use Your Personal Credit Card for Business Expenses?
Keeping track of expenses can be challenging, so some people opt to use a personal card for both personal and business-related purchases. To address the question above, yes, you can use your personal card for business expenses.
You might choose to do so for several reasons, including the enhanced protection offered by the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (Credit CARD Act). This legislation provides better safeguards for cardholders by requiring written disclosures and imposing limits on fees and interest rates.
Why Transfer Your Personal Debt Over to Your Business
While you can use your credit card for business expenses, it lacks the same legal protections as business credit. If your company is set up as an LLC or a corporation, you automatically obtain legal protections based on your chosen business structure. However, intertwining your personal and business expenses can diminish or even nullify those protections you would otherwise enjoy.
If that’s not convincing enough, here are additional reasons why transferring personal credit to business is a smart financial move:
- If there are ever any legal or financial issues, minimize your personal financial risk, even as the business owner.
- Transferring personal debt to business credit helps establish your business’s credit profile and history, which is crucial for accessing credit lines and loans.
- Business credit, when used for business expenses, aids in simplifying tax reporting. This activity can also maximize tax deductions, potentially reducing tax liabilities and taxable income.
- Building strong credit for your business shows professionalism and credibility as it is a demonstration of how responsible and stable your business is. These traits are essential to other entities you will likely work with, such as suppliers, partners, lenders, and even your customers.
- Separating business from personal credit allows access to more credit and financing options based on your company’s creditworthiness. That way, you do not have to rely solely on personal credit limits, which are often lower.
Creating a clear distinction between your personal and business credit profiles is significant in defining the company as a separate legal entity. By using business credit accounts, such as business credit cards or lines of credit, when incurring business-related expenses, you begin to build your company’s own credit history. However, just like personal credit, you should always make on-time payments and manage your business credit responsibly to create a positive credit history for your company.
How to Transfer Personal Credit to Business: The Different Methods
One standard method for transferring personal credit to a business is to apply for business credit cards, which should be under the business’s name. Doing so lets you establish your business’s credit history while separating its usage from your credit cards. Other ways to go about it include the following:
- Applying for business lines of credit to access funds for your ongoing expenses
- Applying for business loans from banks or alternative lenders when in need of funding for expansion and other more significant investments
- Establishing trade credit accounts with vendors and suppliers, such as Net 30 vendors, that allow your business to make purchases on credit
- Using alternative financing solutions specific to businesses, including merchant cash advances and invoice factoring
- Exploring rental or lease agreements for vehicles, real estate, or equipment to build a credit profile
It may also be an option to cosign with a personal guarantee, mainly if you first must use personal credit to secure business loans or business credit cards. This method, however, involves personal credit. Nevertheless, it still contributes to building your business’ credit history.
With the choices above, picking the proper method for you may be a little confusing. The best way to do it is to select the option based on your creditworthiness and business requirements. For example, you can consider your short-term and long-term goals, such as whether you want to finance immediate expenses. Perhaps you wish to build credit for the future or invest in growth opportunities. Whatever your goal, you can align it with the best method for your business.
Other factors to consider include:
- Your business’s creditworthiness
- Payment history
- Debt-to-income ratio
- Credit score
- Existing credit accounts, if any
- Type and size of funding you need
- Interest rates and fees
- Repayment terms
The method you choose can impact your credit and liability as an individual, such as if it requires cosigning or a personal guarantee, so consider that as well. It is also helpful to assess the method’s long-term sustainability, especially if it will benefit your business’s financial growth and stability in the long run.
Steps to Take
Regardless of the method you see fit for transferring personal credit to business credit, the entire process involves a few steps, which often include the following:
If you have not done so, you will first have to incorporate a legal business entity. This means picking whether you have a partnership, a Limited Liability Company (LLC), a corporation, or any other type of business structure. You will also have to register it with the local and state government. From here, you can obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
You will then need to open a business bank account in the name of your business. This account will be used for all your business-related purchases and transactions. That way, there is a clear separation between your personal and business expenses.
The next useful step is to have a business credit card. Make sure that you do comprehensive research by comparing various card options. Don’t just look at offers from banks; explore other products from financial institutions and credit unions. When applying, you must use the legal name of your business and provide its EIN and other relevant information. Once you have a credit card, you should always pay your debt on time whenever you use it for business expenses. This is the key to establishing a positive credit history for your company.
Some businesses may skip this step, but it is helpful in many ways. You need trade credit accounts as you continue to grow as a business. Be sure to foster relationships with trade partners and suppliers that use trade credit terms. You may also request to open a trade credit account under your business and use it for purchases on credit. Once again, you need to pay net 30 invoices promptly, which will show suppliers and vendors your creditworthiness. It also establishes trust, making it easier for you to access larger financing in the future.
You can apply for lines of credit or business loans from online lenders or banks using your business information. At this stage, you will typically be asked to provide financial data, such as a business plan, revenue, and cash flow. Once approved, you can use the lines of credit and loans for operational, investment, and expansion investments. Just like other debts, you should always maintain responsible repayment to help build your business’s credit profile.
At this stage, you can use the balance transfer option with the new business credit card / business line of credit to transfer your debt over. Some banks will also allow you to use “convenience checks” where you can write a check using your business credit card available balance to your personal credit card company to payoff the balance (and avoid a cash advance fee). You can also look into programs like Plastiq and Melio Payments to get cash off your business credit card.
Your work is incomplete, as you must still monitor and manage your business credit. It always helps to review your business credit reports regularly. If you find any errors, dispute them, as they will not fix themselves. You must ensure accuracy in reporting all your credit activities. Don’t forget to maintain a low credit utilization rate while avoiding accumulating excessive debt under the name of your business.
You might also like: Our Review of NAV, a service that boosts, tracks and monitors business credit scores
Using your business credit accounts involves being responsible for you to build a positive credit history for your company. As you keep your credit utilization low, it helps to increase your credit limits. Do so gradually as your credit history improves and your finances stabilize.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
As the process ensues, you will realize that some difficulties may arise that could add to the challenge. Therefore, it is crucial to be on the lookout for the following pitfalls:
Many businesses fail to separate business and personal expenses, which typically leads to confusion and inaccuracies, particularly in their financial records. If there is no clear distinction between the two, tracking deductible expenses can pose a challenge, resulting in paying more taxes than you should. Always talk to a tax qualified professional when considering getting credit and moving debt from person to business.
Another issue is relying on personal credit when making business purchases. Although this is the more convenient option for some people, it hinders their businesses’ ability to build a strong credit profile.
One more problem is operating as a sole proprietorship without forming a legal business entity. Unfortunately, this approach exposes the owner to personal liability, especially given the rising business debts and obligations.
Not having a business bank account is another issue to address as you progress with the transfer. That way, you avoid complicating the accounting procedures and tax reporting, making it easier to track income and expenses.
Legal and Financial Implications to Consider
While there are benefits to transferring personal to business credit, it is vital to understand the potential legal and financial implications of the activity for both the business and the owner. These include the following:
You can get legal liability protection as a business owner when you move your personal credit to business credit rather than having it all in one account. However, you must operate as a single entity, such as an LLC, to shield your personal assets from possible debts and lawsuits.
Some lenders require a personal guarantee, particularly if you have a new business. Typically, this means you do not have an extensive credit history. With a personal guarantee, you should know that you, as the business owner, will be held liable for any financial obligations. That includes if your business defaults on credit payments.
While a personal credit to business credit transfer establishes a separate credit profile and history for your company, it can also result in negative credit activity. Late payments and other mistakes can adversely affect your business’s creditworthiness. You must continuously build and protect your credit profile so that you do not have to worry about accessing financing in the long run.
The transfer requires careful documentation and recordkeeping. Otherwise, you could risk complying with tax laws and missing proper business deductions.
Compliance with the rules and requirements is important when using business credit. It mitigates potential issues and ensures legal adherence, so be sure to be mindful of your business’s legal structure and registration. Your business must have the appropriate licenses and permits to operate legally. Talk to a representative or local authorities if you require more information.
Finally, it is valuable to understand the reporting requirements of business credit bureaus, such as Experian Business and Dun & Bradstreet. You should always have your business credit activity report accurately, including your timely payments and credit utilization, for a favorable credit profile and history.
Conclusion
Transferring your personal credit to business credit is a smart move that can yield significant benefits. The biggest benefit is the potential to improve your personal credit utilization, which can really boost your personal credit score a lot. With a distinct separation between business and personal finances, you can protect your personal assets while aiming to access financing options and build a good credit profile for your company. Take the first step toward building your business credit profile by signing up for free business credit training today!
FAQ
Why should I transfer my personal credit to my business?
It can boost your personal credit score by lowering your utilization. Plus establishing a separate credit profile for yourself and your business can give your business access to more financing options while protecting your personal assets against potential company-related debts and obligations.
How do I transfer personal credit to my business?
You can apply for business credit cards, open a trade credit account with a supplier, or apply for a business loan. Then use a balance transfer or convenience checks.
Why should you not mix personal and business credit?
It is often difficult to separate expenses, making it difficult to track expenses. This can also be a problem when reporting business credit activities. Not mixing personal and business expenses on your personal credit profile can also help with asset protection.
How do I ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements when using business credit?
It helps to be knowledgeable about the Truth in Lending Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act, as well as other regulations that may be specific to your business and industry. That way, compliance is much easier as you continue to grow your company. You should also spend the time to speak to an attorney and a tax qualified professional, like a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).