How to Check My EIN Credit: Everything You Need to Know
Checking your Employer Identification Number (EIN) credit provides you with insight into your business's creditworthiness.3 min read
Checking your Employer Identification Number (EIN) credit provides you with insight into your business's creditworthiness. Like a personal credit score, your business credit score reflects the likelihood of your company providing timely payments on its debts.
What Is an Employer ID Number?
An EIN is one type of tax ID the Internal Revenue Service issues to businesses. Like an individual's social security number, this nine-digit number helps the IRS identify and track payments to businesses with employees, including:
- Limited liability companies
- Partnerships
- Corporations.
What Is a Business Credit Score?
Like personal credit scores, businesses also have scores that show their creditworthiness to lenders. Because your business's credit score reflects your history of paying bills on time, banks and other lenders will use credit reports to consider approving your business for a loan or for other financing. These reports help them determine the likelihood that your business will pay them back the money they lend to you.
In addition to lenders, business credit scores tell your vendors and suppliers how likely you are to pay them for the products or the services they provide your business. Good credit scores also help your business qualify for lower rates on business insurance and some loan options.
How Are Business Credit Scores Calculated?
Business credit scores are calculated based on your company's financial history, such as:
- Credit utilization rate
- Debt payment history, including outstanding debts
- Length of credit history
- Bankruptcies, liens, and judgments
- Size of your company
- Industry risk.
How to Use Your EIN for Credit Purposes
To establish business credit using an EIN, your business must apply for a DUNS number. This number is issued by the credit bureau, Dun & Bradstreet. You must provide information such as:
- Your company's legal name
- Business structure
- Year of establishment
- Number of employees
- Any alternate names your company uses (“doing business as” names).
Improving Business Credit Scores
Once your company obtains a DUNS number, the following are some suggestions that will help your business establish a good credit score:
- As a sole proprietor, your personal financial information is combined with your business's financial information. As a result, any missteps in your personal credit could damage your company's credit score. Structuring your business as an LLC or corporation will help separate your personal credit from your business credit.
- Pay vendors and suppliers in a timely manner. Use your EIN when applying for credit trade accounts with your vendors and pay the amount in full prior to the due date.