Using a Personal Account for Business Expenses: Is it the Right Choice?

Business costs include any costs incurred in your bank account that relate to the running of your business. ༚Activity & support contains creative ideas and information on how to grow your business account. Speak with a Chasebusiness bankerto see howopening a business bank accountcan help you take your business to the next level. Go to your personal account and enter the recipient details of the business account. There are many things to consider when transferring money from your personal account to the business one.

Depending on several factors such as your daily minimum balance, direct deposits, and more, you can have your checking account fees waived. Using a business checking account makes your business look more legitimate and credible. Your customers and clients will be more likely to trust you if the payments and invoices come from a bank account under your company’s name.

Start Your Business Right With doola and a Business Bank Account

Banking services provided by Middlesex Federal Savings, F.A.; Member FDIC. A business savings account will enable you to store your funds, often in an interest-bearing account. Look for a business savings account with low fees and member FDIC insurance. In conclusion, dipping into a business account every time the owner needs a little extra cash is a terrible way to run a business.

It’s a lot easier to get a loan from your bank when they have a direct record of your transaction history and can see your growth trajectory. We provide third-party links as a convenience and for informational purposes only. Intuit does not endorse or approve these products and services, or the opinions of these corporations or organizations or individuals. Intuit accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content on these sites. This content is for information purposes only and should not be considered legal, accounting, or tax advice, or a substitute for obtaining such advice specific to your business.

What’s the Difference Between a Personal and Business Bank Account?

In short, even if a separate account isn’t required for your business, it’s still a good idea to get one. Even if the thief accessed the funds in your work account, you would still be covered since your checking account is still insured by the FDIC . Generally speaking, it is better to have a business bank account.. In fact, the Internal Revenue Service recommends you open a bank account specifically for your organization. If you purchase new company equipment, for example, does that mean you can claim that money back as a business expense? While you can still claim the costs, it can be a much more long-winded process.

Let’s say you’re offering a service and it’s time to make a payment. Customers are always more comfortable sending money to an account with your business’ name on it, rather than handing over their well-earned money to a personal account. You want your business to grow, but using a personal account for business expenses might hinder that progress rather than giving it a much-needed boost. While using your personal account for basic business transactions might be quick and easy, it does signal a lack of professionalism. Using a personal account for business expenses will result in a lot of time wasted because your business-based finances will be mixed in with your personal funds. However, using a personal account for business potentially forgoes the legal protection you receive from your business entity.

A Business Bank Account Is Helpful When Acquiring a Business Loan

Business accounts might also have more restrictions and requirements than personal accounts. Some business checking accounts limit the number of monthly transactions or charge a small fee for each transaction. Other business savings accounts require you to keep a minimum balance or pay monthly maintenance fees.

The more likely result is too much time spent sorting through bank statements and too many tax dollars removed from your bottom line. Even worse, you’re increasing the chance for errors that result in penalties against you or your business. Having a dedicated bank account for your company makes the business look more credible in the eyes of customers, investors and lenders. When you ask customers to make checks out to your company’s name rather than your own, your business looks more legitimate.

You can read more about eligibility, features, fees and more in our Bank of America business review. An expert in business banking, consumer finance, and online payments, Kate Hoots has been writing about small business commerce since 2020. A former journalist for the West Linn Tidings and the Wilsonville Spokesman, Kate boasts wide experience in business leadership and communication. She has a degree in English Literature from Lewis & Clark College. You’ll also have a clean, easy-to-understand set of financial records to use if you apply for a business loan, decide to sell your business, or get audited by the IRS. In addition, you won’t have to worry about losing your privacy by having your personal transactions placed under the microscope when your business transactions are reviewed.

As a small business owner, you can face financial challenges whether you’re just starting out or… We spend our time thinking about what the world would look like if the 80% of businesses that have under 10 employees had access to the capital they needed to grow and thrive. We’re solving this with our Business Capital, Business-Building Card, and Resources that include our business Grant Match Program. If you are looking for accounting software that’s easy to use Quickbooks is a great tool to keep all of your expenses and revenue organized. Lindsey is a full-time entrepreneur and part-time writer in the personal finance space.

Chances are you started a business to add a product or service of value to the world. However, you won’t be able to deliver on it if it’s not immediately apparent that you’re legitimate. And having its finances separate from your personal ones solidifies that it’s a real business. Once a customer notices these elements, they’re more likely to buy from you. We previously mentioned that a business account provides you with more transaction options.

Banking services are provided by Middlesex Federal Savings, F.A.; Member FDIC. For manually-entered payments or card-on-file payments, Square charges a fee of 3.5% + $0.15 per transaction. For in-person payments with a card, Square charges a fee of 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction.

You have to do extra work to separate personal expenses from business expenses. You can’t just download the bank account transaction history to QuickBooks, Xero or Zoho Books, and know that all expenses are business related. SafenNetpPay’s online-only business bank account was built with sole traders in mind for maximum flexibility, fair fees and complete visibility. To find out more about how you can pay and get paid more easily, take a look at our available accounts today. When it’s time to sort out taxes, you’ll have to declare the incomes and expenses of your business. That’s a lot easier to do when your personal and professional transactions aren’t on the same bank statement.

You will likely see immediate benefits in organizing your finances and building your business credit simply by opening a dedicated business account. If you’re just starting your business, now is the time to find a banking partner. When you’re starting a small business, there are a lot of important decisions to make.

However, a professional check from a business account will convey professionalism and, more importantly, confidence. A business bank account is an asset owned by the business and as such if the business is sold, the bank account is included in the sale . Account-holders will receive a multi-currency account that provides them access to over 60 currencies. Also, there are no transfer fees, and the FX rates are competitive. Therefore, Currencies Direct helps international businesses save money when sending money.

If you run a limited company, you cannot use your personal bank account for your business. This is because your company is incorporated with Companies House, and is therefore a separate entity to you legally and financially. If you plan to open a merchant account to accept credit card payments, the bank may ask for an estimate of your monthly payment card sales. A corporation or limited liability company , however, is a legal entity separate from its owner. That entity needs its own bank account to maintain legal separation between owner and business, protecting the owner from legal liability.

Another reason to have a single step vs multi step income statement bank account is for bookkeeping purposes. When you track your small business finances, it’s important to have all of your transactions in one place. This way, you can easily see how much money is coming in and going out of your business. Having a separate bank account for your business will make tracking expenses and income much easier.

• Apply for a business credit card as soon as you have revenue coming in regularly.
• More people than ever are deciding to start their own business, with 2020 on track to be a record year for new business registrations.
• It would be unfortunate if you had a great business idea with enormous potential but it failed due to poor bookkeeping.
• The best way to separate business and personal taxes is with a business bank account.

For sole traders, who make up nearly 60% of UK’s SMEs, one of the first questions to answer is ‘Can I use my personal account as a sole trader? And don’t just open a business account with the same bank you have a personal account with. Your requirements as a business are different to your requirements as a person, so shop around and find the best fit.