Stage One of the Business Credit Success Guide
How to Build Small Business Credit with No Personal Guarantee

Step 5 ~ Obtain a Tax Identification Number

All business entities have a federal identification number call an EIN (Employer Identification Number) which is used for tax, financing, credit approval and monitoring purposes.  Think of the EIN as a social security number for your business that will allow you to NEVER have to give out your personal information again.  You can learn more about the procedures for filing your new EIN on the IRS Website.

As soon as you have registered, your permanent number can be used immediately for most of your business needs but before you go on an application spree please understand the following:

• You will be able to qualify for financing with your EIN alone but some applications also ask for your social security number. Hint: Don’t replace the social with your EIN, instead simply cross out the personal guarantor section before submitting the application.  If your business credit file is strong enough (if it’s not yet, it will be before your finished with our guide) you will easily be able to receive business credit with no personal guarantee.

• The difference between business and personal credit is that the business credit industry is not regulated by the government so there is no legal action that can be taken to have bad credit removed.  Point being, take good care of your new EIN as improper use, late payments, collections or UCC filings can and will follow your business around and create problems when applying for new business credit.

There is plenty more to come and before long you will be able to start applying for business credit with no personal guarantee!.