Business Credit Readiness Checker

An EIN separates your business identity from your SSN for credit purposes.

Apply free at IRS.gov — takes 5 minutes online. Required for business accounts, credit cards, and vendor accounts.

Business credit bureaus treat LLCs and corporations more favorably than sole props.

Form an LLC in your state ($50-500 filing fee). Creditors extend more credit to formal entities than sole proprietors.

Commingling funds is a red flag for lenders and makes it impossible to build a business credit history.

Open a business checking account at a bank that reports to business credit bureaus. Chase, Bank of America, and many credit unions qualify.

D&B tracks payment history with vendors. Without a DUNS number, you have no Paydex score.

Register free at dnb.com. Your D&B Paydex score (0–100) is the most widely used business credit score. Getting a DUNS starts the clock.

Business credit is built through vendor payment history. You need reporting tradelines to have a score.

Starter vendors include Uline, Grainger, Quill, and Staples — they extend Net 30 terms and report to D&B/Experian Business. Getting 3-5 starter vendors reporting is the fastest way to build a business credit profile.