How to Get Chase Business Cards with Just Your SSN: A Step-by-Step Application Tutorial
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Let me guess: you've been eyeing those incredible Chase business card welcome bonuses, but then you see "business credit card" and immediately think, "Well, that's not for me. I don't have an LLC or a fancy business license."
STOP. RIGHT. THERE. 🛑
We're about to blow your mind with some truth: if you've made ANY money outside your regular 9-5 job - even $250 from selling old clothes on Facebook Marketplace this past year - you have a business! And that means you can (and should!) apply for business credit cards.
We're not talking about some gray area loophole here. We're talking about legitimate business applications using your Social Security Number and full legal name. It's completely above board, totally normal, and honestly? Credit card companies expect and want sole proprietor applications.
This post will walk you through exactly how to apply for Chase business cards step-by-step, screenshot by screenshot, with zero intimidation and maximum confidence. 💪
Let's Settle This Once and For All: You Probably Have a Business
Before we dive into the application process, we need to address the elephant in the room. 🐘 👀 When most people hear "business credit card," they picture:
A fancy office with your name on the door
A formal business license hanging on the wall
An LLC or corporation
Employees and a proper payroll system
A business bank account with thousands of dollars
But here's the reality: none of that is required. Like, AT ALL.
Real talk from our own lives: My husband Brad can apply for business cards as an "Independent Artist." Why? Because as an actress, I work freelance jobs, and Brad tapes every single one of my auditions and reads lines with me. When I book a job and get paid, he also gets compensated for his services to my business. Boom - he's a legitimate sole proprietor!
Our friend Malory makes handmade ornaments every fall and winter season. No fancy Etsy store, no LLC, just selling to people in her community for some extra holiday cash. That seasonal income? Totally qualifies her for business cards as a sole proprietor.
If you've done ANY of these things, you have a business:
Sold items online (Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, eBay, Mercari)
Pet-sitting or dog walking
Tutoring or teaching lessons
Photography (even just for friends who paid you)
Food blogging or any content creation
Airbnb hosting or short-term rentals
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, or delivery driving
Freelance writing, design, or consulting
Crafts, art, or handmade items
House-sitting or cleaning services
Yard work or landscaping
Personal training or fitness coaching
Any MLM or direct sales (Mary Kay, LuLaRoe, etc.)
The IRS defines a business as any activity carried on with the intention of making a profit. Notice it doesn't say "successful business" or "full-time business" or "business with fancy paperwork." Just the intention to make a profit.
If you're still thinking "But I only made $500 last year..." - that doesn't matter! The IRS doesn't set a minimum income requirement for what constitutes a business.
Why Business Cards Are Essential for Your Points and Miles Strategy 🎯
Okay, now that we've established you DO qualify, let's talk about why business cards should be a cornerstone of your travel rewards strategy.
💰 Higher Welcome Bonuses: Business cards typically offer much higher welcome bonuses than their personal counterparts. We're talking 80,000-200,000+ points compared to 50,000-75,000 on personal cards. That's literally the difference between a few domestic flights and a round-trip lie-flat tickets to Europe.
🏦 Separate from 5/24 Rules: Chase's famous 5/24 rule doesn't apply the same way to business cards. This means you can stretch your 5/24 window much longer by applying for business cards between personal cards.
💳 Double-Dip Opportunities: You can often hold both the personal AND business version of similar cards from the same issuer. For example, you could have both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Ink Business Preferred, earning welcome bonuses on both.
The bottom line? If you're serious about maximizing your points and miles earning potential, business cards aren't optional - they're essential.
Breaking Down the Application: What You Actually Need
Here's everything you need to apply for a Chase business card as a sole proprietor:
Required Information:
Your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your Social Security card)
Your Social Security Number (this becomes your Tax ID)
Your home address
Your personal phone number
An estimate of your annual business revenue (it’s okay if it’s a low number, most new businesses don’t make a ton of money in their first year)
An estimate of your monthly business spending
How long you've been in business (even if it's just 6 months!)
What You DON'T Need:
An LLC or corporation ❌
A business license ❌
A separate business bank account ❌
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) ❌
Business registration with your state ❌
A business website ❌
Any special paperwork or documentation ❌
Seriously, that's it. If you have a Social Security Number and have made any income from side activities, you're ready to go!
Step-by-Step Application Walkthrough
Alright, let's do this thing! We're going to walk through every single screen of the Chase business card application together. I've got screenshots of each step, so you'll know exactly what to expect.
💡 FYI: For all you audio-visual learners, I created a helpful Instagram reel showing this process in action if you want to watch how to apply!
Step 1: Choose Your Card & Start the Application
When you apply using our click-through links on our Best Credit Cards page (check the menu bar!) in partnership with TravelFreely, you’re supporting our small business at NO cost to you! We’re so grateful for your support in helping us make more free content like this blog post. 🫶
Pick the Chase business card you want to apply for. Popular options include:
Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card - Great for bonus categories like office supplies and gas
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card - Simple flat-rate earning on everything
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card - Higher annual fee but access to transfer partners
Click that “Best Credit Cards” option in the menu bar, then use our click-through link to make your credit card selection, hit “Apply Now” and let’s get started!
Step 2: Authorizing Title Selection
Select: "Owner"
Hey, have we finally convinced you that your side-hustle is a real business yet?
And guess what! You’re the OWNER, baby! 🥳
Step 3: Personal Information
This section is just like any other credit card application ⤵️
You’ll fill out information per usual:
Full name, address, phone number
Date of birth and Social Security Number
Home address and personal contact info
Total gross annual income (this is your combined household income, by the way!)
Important note: Your personal income is separate from your side-hustle business income. And be sure to include the total combined income for your household (spouse included!)
Step 4: Business Structure Selection
Select: "Sole Proprietorship"
This is key! Even though you might see options like "Corporation" or "LLC," sole proprietorship is exactly what you want as an individual with a side hustle.
Step 5: Business Details
Here's where people usually panic, but don't worry - we've got you covered:
Business Legal Name: Your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your driver's license/Social Security card)
Example: "Sarah Michelle Johnson" ✅
NOT: "Sarah's Crafting Corner" or "SMJ Designs" ❌
Desired Business Name on Card:
Leave this blank OR enter your full legal name again
You don't need a fancy business name!
"Doing Business As" (DBA) checkbox: Select “No”
It’ll cause you more trouble, and probably a denied application, if you put in a business name when apply as a sole-proprietor. We know it’s tempting! Just click “No”!
Number of Employees: Put "0"
When entering the number of employees, do not include yourself. We know you’re a person! You count in our hearts… just not on this business application. 😆 Enter “0”.
(Note: You also won’t need any “additional employee” cards)
Business Tax ID Number: Your Social Security Number
Use the format: XXX-XX-XXXX
This is completely normal and expected for sole proprietors
Primary Physical Business Address: Select “Yes” (it’s the same as your home address)
Your actual residential address is where they will ship the credit card
No need for a fancy office or PO Box
Business Contact Info: Your personal cell phone number
Yes, your personal number is perfectly fine
You don't need a separate "business line"
Step 6: Business Financial Information
A lot of people get nervous here too, but remember: honesty is the best policy, and your numbers don't need to be huge!
Business Established Date: How long have you been doing this activity?
Just started? Put today’s date (that's totally fine!)
Been doing this for a while, but maybe haven’t been charging yet? Put when you started
Been making money with the side hustle since April 2022? Put April 2022!
Annual Business Revenue: Your estimated gross income from business activities per year
Just starting and expect to make $500 this year? Put $500
Made $1,000 selling clothes on Poshmark last year? Put $1,000
Earned $3,000 from dog walking? Put $3,000
BE HONEST - there's no minimum requirement, and inflating numbers can get you in trouble
Estimated Monthly Spend: How much do you spend per month on business expenses?
Think about: supplies, gas, phone bills, platform fees, etc.
This could range from $200-$2,000+ depending on your business
🤔 “Can I put personal spend on a business card?”
This is a bit of a gray area.
Technically, according to the bank’s application you’re not supposed to put personal spend on a business card. However, it is not illegal and it’s a pretty common occurrence to do so for most people.
Why is that language in the application then?
Banks are required to have that language due to the CARD Act of 2009, which offers protections on personal cards, but not business cards. 👇
Ultimately, only proceed with what you’re comfortable.
Keep in mind, if you do put personal spend on a business card, you and your accountant need to be on the same page, so keep good track of those receipts and expenses! 🧾💸
Luckily for us, my dad is our accountant. (Thanks, Dad!) So we feel comfortable putting are personal spend on a business card just to meet the minimum spend.
Step 7: Business Classification Selection
Don’t get too caught up in this section. Do your best to get as close to the description of what you do, without agonizing over it. The NAICS code will auto-populate based on your selections.
Business Category: Choose the category that best fits your activity
Business Type: Be more specific within your chosen category
If you chose "Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation," you might select "Independent Artists, Writers, Performers"
If you chose "Retail: Automotive, Clothing, Food, Home Goods and Appliances, Vending" (because you resell a lot of furnishings on Facebook Marketplace) you might select "Home Furnishings Stores"
Business Sub-Type: This will often auto-populate, or you’ll have to choose between 2-4 more sub-types to narrow it down further
Step 8: Review and Submit
Take a moment to review all your information:
Double-check that your legal name is spelled correctly
Verify your SSN is entered properly
Make sure your business income estimates are reasonable and honest
Confirm all personal information is accurate
Hit submit and celebrate - you just applied for your first business card! 🎉
What Happens After You Apply?
Instant Approval: Many applicants get approved instantly and can call to get their card expedited right away!
Pending Review: You might see a message that your application needs review. This is normal! Chase may want to verify some information like your home address or household income information.
Business Verification Request: Sometimes Chase will ask for additional information to verify your business. Don't panic! They might ask simple questions like:
What type of business do you have?
How long have you been doing this?
What's your annual revenue?
Can you show bank statements of payments showing business income
Again, just answer honestly based on what you put in your application. Remember, you DO have a legitimate business!
🤔 Common Questions and Concerns
What if they ask for a business license? They won't. Sole proprietors don't need business licenses for most activities, and Chase knows this.
What if they call and I get nervous? Practice your elevator pitch: "I sell items online as a sole proprietor" or "I provide pet care services in my community." Keep it simple and confident.
What if my business income is really small? That's perfectly fine! There's no minimum income requirement. Be honest about your actual earnings.
Can I apply if I just started my business? Absolutely! You can apply even if you've been in business for just a few months.
What if I haven't filed business taxes yet? That's okay. Many side hustles don't require separate business tax filings. You report the income on your personal taxes. (Personally, I do this with my income as an actress! No separate business filing needed.)
Pro Tips for a Successful Application
Be Consistent: Whatever you put on your application, stick with those details if Chase asks to verify details.
Start Small: If you're nervous, start with a card that has a lower annual fee or no annual fee, like the Chase Ink Business Cash or Ink Business Unlimited.
Have a Plan: Know what business activities you're going to report before you start the application.
Don't Overthink It: Remember, you're not doing anything wrong or sneaky - sole proprietorship is a legitimate business structure!
Keep Records: Even if you're not required to, keep basic records of your business income and expenses. It's good practice and helpful if you need to verify information later.
Bottom Line: You've Got This! 💪
Look, we get it. Applying for your first business card can feel a little intimidating. But here's the thing: thousands of people successfully apply for business cards as sole proprietors every single day (us, included 🙋♀️🙋♂️). You're not breaking any rules, you're not being sneaky, and you're not doing anything wrong.
You're simply recognizing that your side hustle IS a business (because it is!), and you're taking advantage of credit card products designed for business owners (which you are!).
The points and miles you'll earn from business card welcome bonuses can literally transform your travel experiences. We're talking about actually booking those bucket list trips you've been postponing.
So take a deep breath, gather your information, and hit that "Apply Now" button. Your future self - the one posting Instagram photos from that European vacation you booked with points - will thank you.
Ready to apply? Check out our current favorite Chase business card offers on our Best Credit Cards page, and remember - every application using our links helps support the free content we create for you! 🫶
Still have questions? Reach out on Instagram @parksonrec or fill out a Free Credit Card Consult! We're always here to help make the best recommendations for your goals.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.