Business cards: converting from SSN to EIN
 

i signed up for some Chase besiness cards using my SSN, but now I would like to convert it to my EIN. Is that possible?

My EIN is new, how do I go about establishing credit for it? Thanks!

sign up for more cards! Seriously, you'll get the bonus again for most cards

I don't think there is any benefit of switching cards that were obtained using your SSN to your EIN. I'm not sure there is even a process to do so. In either case, you are guaranteeing your cards using your personal credit. I think your EIN gives you legitimacy in terms of actually owning a business, but obviously you were convincing when you got the cards you already have.

There are different credit bureaus/agencies (and reports, ways of reporting, etc.) for consumer and business credit. Dun & Bradstreet is one of the business credit reporting agencies and has some basic information on their website.

You mention an EIN. Is your business also an entity (like an LLC, LP, partnership, S corp., corporation, etc.) versus a sole proprietorship?

Unfortunately most credit cards will not extend credit to a business without relying on a particular individual's credit and guaranteed payment. Maybe others can report on their success, but most business cards are not set up to rely on the credit of the business itself.

I've had a business for almost 20 years. I really have no idea what in my universe is based on "Redtop" and what is based on "Redtop & Associates." I didn't even have an EIN until my pension plan value exceeded the value where I had to file IRS form 5500 for it (it was $100K back then). I would take a wild guess that occasionally I get something targeted to me because of my business, but I rarely get mail addressed to "Redtop & Associates." I'm a sole proprietorship. Unless you have a separate business entity (partnership or corporation) I doubt it matters much what number (SSN or EIN) you do business under.

Unless you a make business out of it, ein requires an employee besides yourself. That means you can't really be sole proprietor. There's overhead there... I've herd of people churning with multiple eins and even selling shell corporations with mature credit history.

By reading this thread, it came to my impression that banks don't really use a business EIN of a Business Credit Card for any tax reporting purpose.

My situation is that my business needs a new EIN due to ownership change per IRS rules. Do I need to tell my card issuer that the EIN for my Business Credit Card has changed?