How to Report Revenue on a Business Credit Card Application

What is annual business revenue?

Annual business revenue is the total income your company earned before expenses. It’s a standard question on business credit card applications — but not a deciding factor for approval. In fact, you can get a business credit card with little or no business revenue.

How to report revenue for business cards

Stick to the facts when reporting annual business revenue on a business credit card application. But don’t sell yourself short. Here’s what to do.

• Determine your gross annual revenue. This is your revenue before taking out taxes and other expenses. This is different from profit, which is revenue minus costs. Gross revenue can include income from products or services you sell, as well as sales of business property or other assets.

• Exclude any personal income. Don't lump in income from your full-time job, if you have one, with business revenue. Instead, include it in the “income” field of the application.

• Pull revenue from the right time frame. Don't include sales projections in your revenue figure. Instead, stick to income earned in the previous year. It's OK if that figure is $0.

• Update your revenue information as needed. Your company’s revenue can influence your credit limit. If your annual revenue improves after you’re approved, update that information with the issuer. 

Can new businesses get a credit card without any revenue?

New businesses can still get a business credit card, even if they don’t yet have revenue. Simply put $0 in the annual revenue field if your business has no actual revenue. Issuers will use your personal income and credit score to determine approval and credit limit.

You don’t need to have a registered business to get a business card, either. You can apply as a sole proprietor if you have any sort of side gig, such as:

• Driving for a ridesharing service.

• Selling items online.

• Freelancing as a graphic designer.

» MORE: Best credit cards for freelancers, self-employed