SW business card for in-home business.

[leebee]

Does anyone have any experience applying for a SW business credit card for an in-home business that doesn't have a business address or an independent tax number/return? Will they just look at our personal resources, or should I be prepared to show evidence of business (i.e., copies of orders, bills/receipts of payment, etc)? I have a small in-home business where I offer editing services and writing support. We live in a college town, so most of my work focuses on helping to write grants, journal articles, and the like (i.e., I am not editing student work assignments, although I have provided editing support for thesis/dissertation work). Most of my jobs come through word-of-mouth as I used to work at the university, my husband works there, people know me, etc. I've also sent flyers out to a variety of academic departments. I don't make much money doing this- maybe a couple thousand a year- and always include it in my tax returns although I don't have an EIN/TIN, just file under our social security numbers with the appropriate schedule (our tax guy has said this is OK). I don't have a lot of business-related expenses, but there's paper, printer ink, professional memberships, etc. I could really use a new desktop computer, or at least a decent upgrade to what I currently have, and a laser printer would be awesome. I am thinking of applying for a SW business card, admittedly for the rapid rewards bonus, but feel that having the RR is enough compensation to actually convince myself to make the computer purchases through a business account (right now, I just use our personal credit card, but make business purchases separately and save the receipts). I am just unsure of whether this would qualify as a business, and I hate going in with the feeling like I'll get rejected anyhow!

(In case anyone is wondering, I do this not to make money, but to stay involved. I was a research scientist in a variety of labs for 25 years, before the grant funding ran out and I was not able to find another position. I like doing this because it keeps me involved/immersed in scientific research and feel like I am making some sort of contribution. Unfortunately, nobody is really interested in hiring a 60 year old woman who's been out of the field for 8 years.)

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Just use your name for the business name and your ss for the EIN number on the application.

The only things they ask on the application about the business are type of business, # of years in business, and annual revenue.