How to use projected income to get approved for business credit cards

Projected income is an estimate of how much you expect your business to earn in the future. New business owners often ask if they can use projected income for business credit card applications, because they have little or no actual revenue yet. Since card issuers look at income when evaluating business card applications, being able to include projected income can help with getting approved.

Card issuers typically request annual revenue, meaning the most recent earnings for a business. Projected income doesn’t qualify. The business may or may not meet those projections. However, each card issuer is different, and there are still strategies that new businesses can use to qualify for business credit cards.

What is projected income?

Projected income is the income you expect to make, usually over the coming year. Business owners can base income projections on:

• Sales estimates
• Historical sales figures
• Revenue growth trends
• Current and expected contracts
• Order backlogs

If you’ve created a business plan, it should list your expected revenue and expected income for the next and subsequent years. Revenue is the total earnings of your business, and income is revenue minus expenses. If you haven’t created a business plan, you likely still have an idea of the amount of money you expect to make.

How projected income differs from annual revenue

Annual revenue refers to your business’s actual sales over its most recent fiscal year. If your business made $250,000 in sales during that time period, then its annual revenue is $250,000.

Projected income is your best estimate of future earnings. The calculation method depends on the stage of your business and the information you have available. If your business made $250,000 last year, but it made $100,000 over the first quarter of this year, you might project $400,000 in earnings for the year.

Contracts and potential contracts for future sales can also be part of projected income. If you have a $50,000 contract for next quarter, you could include that in your revenue estimate.

Can you use projected income for a business credit card?

Most business credit card applications ask for annual revenue for the business and don’t ask about expected or projected income. They want to know how much money the business brings in.

What major issuers actually ask for

Here are examples of exactly what’s requested, taken from online business credit card applications with major issuers: 

*Based on credit card applications accessed from issuer’s websites on Dec. 29, 2025, gathered independently by Nav. Application requirements for specific cards may vary. 

None of these issuers ask for projected business income. They all ask for annual revenue or sales, and several specifically request annual revenue from the year before. Wells Fargo even instructs applicants not to use projected revenue.

If your business isn’t earning money yet, you can enter $0 in the revenue field, and this isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker. Issuers also ask for your personal income in business credit card applications. Most card issuers are willing to approve applicants who don’t have any business revenue, as long as they have sufficient income from personal sources.

While major issuers typically want to see actual business revenue, smaller issuers and alternative lenders are sometimes more flexible. You may want to look at business card options from fintech companies, as well as local banks or credit unions.

When is projected income possibly acceptable?

Some card issuers will consider projected income on a case-by-case basis. You may need to go into a branch and apply with a business specialist to have this option. Online business card applications generally only allow you to provide annual revenue.

If an issuer is willing to accept projected business income, be prepared to back up your estimates. You should have a business plan detailing how you’re going to make this money, and contracts will also help, if you have them. For example, if your business has landed government contracts, secured corporate deals, or won grant awards, that can fortify your income projections.

Getting approved without business revenue

You may be able to qualify for a business credit card without revenue. Small business financing is harder to get if your business is a startup, but it’s not impossible.

A business credit card is actually a good option when you have a new business. Many business cards don’t require a specific amount of time in business, and you could potentially use your own income for the application.

Can you use personal income to qualify?

Yes. Most issuers ask for personal household income on business credit card applications, and this can help you get approved. Instead of relying entirely on business revenue, you can qualify for a card based on a combination of personal and business income.

For example, Bank of America asks for total gross household income in business card applications. Here’s the description it provides: “Total gross household income is what you earn or can expect to earn in a year before taxes.”

Some issuers are also more open to personal income projections than business income projections. In Bank of America’s case, it gives you the option of using the household income you expect to earn in a year.

What income sources count?

Here are acceptable income sources to include on a credit card application:

• W-2 wages
• Self-employment income
• Spousal/household income
• Interest
• Dividends
• Rental income
• Retirement, including Social Security benefits, pensions, and retirement account withdrawals
• Alimony, child support, and maintenance income
• Nontaxable income such as disability, workers compensation, or public assistance

Typical business credit card approval requirements

Most small business credit cards take into account the following factors. 

Credit scores

Almost all small business credit card issuers check the applicant’s personal credit history with one of the major credit bureaus, and most credit cards require good credit scores or excellent credit. They may use VantageScore or FICO scores. Here are the credit score ranges with the FICO score system, which is the most widely used by lenders:

• Poor: Below 580
• Fair: 580 to 669
• Good: 670 to 739
• Very Good: 740 to 799
• Exceptional: 800 to 850

A few issuers also check your business credit score, though many card issuers do not require good business credit to qualify.

There are some small business credit card issuers that offer business credit cards for limited credit or bad credit. These include secured cards and some business charge cards.

Income and revenue requirements

Card issuers want to make sure you have enough income to repay any money you borrow on your card. Even if you pay your card in full each month, you are borrowing money for a short period of time. Issuers rarely reveal minimum income requirements, so a specific number is hard to pin down.

With most business credit cards, issuers allow you to use both personal/household income as well as business income and revenue to qualify. That’s one reason credit cards, including 0% APR business credit cards, are popular with startups that aren’t yet making much money.

Issuers typically look for at least $20,000 to $50,000 in combined annual income from the applicant’s personal and business finances. This isn’t a strict rule, but it provides a general idea of how much income you need.

Time in business requirements

Most small business card issuers don’t have a minimum time in business requirement, but if they do, that will usually be disclosed on the application. However, corporate cards may require a minimum amount of time in business.

Other factors

Along with your credit score, issuers will usually examine your entire credit profile. They’ll look at your credit utilization (balances on your existing credit cards divided by the credit limits) and any negative items, such as charge-offs, collection accounts, or bankruptcy.

Issuers also evaluate all the details you provide about your business. This includes the business structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, nonprofit, or corporation) and the type of industry in which it operates.

Tips for getting approved with projected income

You should only use projected income on a business credit card application if the issuer allows it. It’s important to be honest when applying for credit. Lying on a credit application is fraud and could carry significant legal consequences, including fines and even prison time.

It can also affect your ability to discharge debt in bankruptcy, if needed. Most business credit cards require a personal guarantee. If your business doesn’t repay what it charges, the issuer may come after your personal income or assets.

You can normally wipe out credit card debt in bankruptcy. But if it turns out you lied on your credit application, the issuer could challenge your bankruptcy filing on that basis.

Applying for a business card with projected income can be a delicate process. Here’s how to do it correctly.

Step 1: Verify the issuer’s policy before applying

Call and talk to a representative or check the issuer’s FAQs. If the issuer has a branch in your area, you could also visit and ask there.

Step 2: Document your projected income

Gather any documents you have supporting your projections, such as contracts and letters of intent (LOIs). Make a business plan that lays out your projected business income and the evidence behind it.

Step 3: Be conservative in your estimates

The issuer may be skeptical about your estimates if they seem unrealistic. It’s better to err on the side of caution and provide projections you’re confident you can meet.

Step 4: Highlight personal income if business revenue is low

Remember that most issuers will also look at your personal income. If you have stable income, you could qualify for a business card even with $0 in business revenue.

Step 5: Consider a co-applicant or guarantor if available

A co-applicant or a guarantor reduces the risk for the issuer. You may want to consider asking someone you trust (and with good credit) to co-sign on your card application.

Pros and cons of using projected income

Applying for a business credit card with projected income has a few notable pros and cons.

Frequently asked questions