Why Your Etsy Shop Needs a Separate Bank Account - zero to biz (2024)

  • Etsy Essentials, Solopreneur Superstar
  • 14 Comments
  • by Steph | zero to biz

Why Your Etsy Shop Needs a Separate Bank Account - zero to biz (1)

There are so many things that need to be done in the beginning. When starting your business or opening your Etsy shop you’ve got to choose a name, think about your target market, find your niche, set up a shipping strategy, and that’s just a few of those start up to-dos. Although those are all important, my experience has taught me there’s another key thing to do immediately when you get going and it might even be considered the most crucial.

As soon as you can, open a separate bank account. It’s the number one thing I recommend when people ask questions about starting a business. A lot of the tasks in starting a business can be learned, figured out, or caught up on. Blending your finances is really hard to undo and is even frowned upon by the IRS.

Accounting is probably the least of your worries when starting your Etsy shop and definitely one of the least glamourous parts of being an entrepreneur. Business finances can be confusing (and stressful) enough, make it a little easier on yourself by opening a separate bank account from the very beginning. Luckily, getting a new bank account specifically for your business or Etsy shop is easy to do.

KEEP IT SEPARATE

It can quickly become very confusing to have your personal money mixed with your business finances. You’ll want to see how much money you’re spending and making – which can be done at a glance if you have a separate bank account. If not, you’re going to spend a lot of time combing through transactions and transferring information to get your bottom line.

Not only for personal reasons of seeing how your business is doing, but your accountant, bookkeeper, or CPA will thank you. It makes their job a lot easier come tax time and you’ll be spending less money since your financial information will be clear and all in one place.

Keeping it separate helps keep it simple.

EXPENSES

When you open your Etsy shop, you’ll be buying supplies for your products, shipping materials, and paying shop fees. Get a bank account that provides a free debit card to use for your expenses. Even better, find a credit card and earn points (or cash back) while you purchase materials.

Remember that any expenses are write offs on your annual tax return. If you have a debit or credit card dedicated to everything business related, you’ll make sure no expense goes missed.

INCOME

Set up all your streams of income (Etsy and Paypal for me) to deposit directly in your business bank account. Once again, you’ll be able to see how well your business is doing by a quick look at your bank account.

Both Etsy and Paypal make it super easy – Etsy deposits money into your account weekly, every Monday, and Paypal transfers your income with one click. You can set up your new bank account to receive their deposits.

JUST DO IT

When I started my Etsy shop, my expenses and income were basically nonexistent. However, within one month of getting started I opened a separate bank account. I wanted to keep my finances organized and legit from the beginning. I’m so glad I did it and always mention this to anyone contemplating starting any kind of biz.

Most banks have options for free bank accounts and I highly suggest taking advantage of that! Don’t wait – you can thank me later.

Ready to open your Etsy shop? Download my guide to getting started here!

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14 Comments on Why Your Etsy Shop Needs a Separate Bank Account

  1. Great information, very easy to follow . Great instructions

    Reply

  2. Great advice! Good information on hete thanks!

    Reply

  3. Did you open a personal banking account or a business bank account?

    Reply

    • Hi Victoria! I just opened a separate bank account – it wasn’t a “business” account because they had a fee.

      Reply

  4. Just an FYI, you can set up Etsy to pay you daily. I don’t think they’ll do it right away but it’s pretty quick after you open. It’s under the finances section and payments settings.

    Reply

  5. If I am cross-listing, should I have a separate bank account for each platform. For example I’m using Etsy and Depop. Should I have a bank specifically for Etsy and another for Depop? Or just one bank account for selling?

    Reply

    • Hi Sophie! I just have one bank account I funnel all business income into! : )

      Reply

  6. Hey Steph! how are you?
    Do I have to create a business acount on PayPal, or with the personal one its okay??
    Thank you so much!

    Reply

    • Hi Laura! I’m not sure, I think a personal one would be fine as long as it’s separate from your actual personal one (if you have one), but double check the terms and conditions!

      Reply

  7. If I open another checking account meanwhile I decide to file for a business license etc would I be able to switch it over to a business account?

    Reply

    • Hi Denise! I can’t imagine that would be a problem, but definitely recommend checking with the bank you use to make sure.

      Reply

  8. Hi Steph, thank you so much for this information! If I were to create an LLC for my company, do you know if I would have to open a business checking account or could I just open another regular checking account that is separate from my personal. I want to stick with my bank (Chase) but the business checking account requires a $2,000 minimum balance. I was wondering if I could just create a separate regular checking account instead of a business one? Thanks!

    Reply

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Why Your Etsy Shop Needs a Separate Bank Account - zero to biz (4)

I'm Steph, your personal cheerleader as you begin your biz. I started at zero over seven years ago and turned my hobby Etsy shop into a full blown business. Now, I want to share everything I know in helping you pursue your passion, live a life of freedom, and love Mondays a little more!

Why Your Etsy Shop Needs a Separate Bank Account - zero to biz (6)

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Why Your Etsy Shop Needs a Separate Bank Account - zero to biz (2024)

FAQs

Do I need a separate bank account for my Etsy shop? ›

Banking. To make it easier to file your business taxes, set up a separate bank account to handle all of your Etsy expenses and transactions. This way, you have every business-related expense in one place and not mingled with your personal money.

Why does Etsy need to verify my bank account? ›

This helps us protect your funds in case the bank account wasn't updated by you. We want the funds to go to your bank account and not a bad actor's. This 5-day hold doesn't apply if you're verifying an account number already on file.

What is the best bank account for an Etsy shop? ›

Top Bank Account Options for Etsy Businesses
  1. Chase Business Complete Banking: Streamlined for Small Businesses. ...
  2. Bank of America Business Advantage Checking: Comprehensive Business Solutions. ...
  3. Novo: Online Banking Tailored for Entrepreneurs. ...
  4. Azlo: Digital Business Banking with No Monthly Fees.
Dec 20, 2023

Why should you have a separate business bank account? ›

Whether you're just starting a business or are expanding, a business account is an essential asset that could produce a significant impact – it keeps your personal and business finances and assets separate, helps with bookkeeping, offers tax advantages, and more.

Can I use the same bank account for two Etsy accounts? ›

For your seller registration, you can use the same credit card and bank account for both your shops. Most browsers do not allow to be signed up to multiple accounts at a time, Etsy included. To manage different accounts, if you don't want to log in and out every time, you should use different browsers.

Can you use the same bank account for multiple Etsy shops? ›

Yes, you can use the same credit card for seller registration as well as the same bank account if you sign up for Etsy Payments. You must use the same taxpayer ID and address when applicable.

Is linking bank account to Etsy safe? ›

Etsy maintains records associated with transactions on Etsy Payments and does not pass any secure data, including credit card numbers or bank account information, to any sellers.

Should I give Plaid my bank username and password? ›

Is Plaid safe to link to your bank? Yes, in general using Plaid for banking is safe. Plaid follows strict security protocols to ensure sensitive data stays out of the hands of fraudsters. On top of that, for consumers, Plaid allows you to view and control exactly what data they've shared.

Does Etsy count as direct deposit? ›

Etsy Payments is the easiest way to get paid on Etsy. With Etsy Payments, buyers can use most payment methods to purchase from your shop. You get direct deposits to your bank account or Payoneer Payment Account for sellers in applicable countries.

What is the safest payment method on Etsy? ›

PayPal is a key part of the Etsy marketplace, as it provides a safe and simple way for customers to buy things online and help sellers get their payments quickly.

What is the safest way to get paid on Etsy? ›

Choose the payment method that works best for you, such as PayPal or Etsy Payments. Etsy Payments allows sellers to get their money through different options like credit cards, bank accounts, debit cards, store credit, Etsy gift cards, and more. Some sellers find this payment method to be the most convenient.

Can I use a personal bank account for Etsy business? ›

It's permissible to use your personal bank account to receive Etsy payments. However, if you decide to structure your Etsy shop as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), things change. In such cases, you will be required to open a business checking account where Etsy revenues can be accepted.

Can I use my personal bank account for my business? ›

While you technically could use your personal bank account for business, it is generally not recommended. This is because mixing your personal and business finances could put your personal assets at risk if your business were to face legal issues.

Is it better to have separate bank accounts? ›

Key takeaways. Keeping separate bank accounts after marriage could help you stay engaged with your money. Paying for shared expenses could mean using bill-splitting apps and extra planning for emergencies, but it's worth it for some couples.

Can I use my personal bank account for my single member LLC? ›

Can I Operate my Business with my Personal Bank Account? Yes, you can operate a sole proprietorship or an LLC using your personal bank account, but it isn't advisable. Sole proprietorships aren't required to have a separate business bank account unless they trade using a fictitious DBA name (doing business as).

Do I need a tax ID number to sell on Etsy? ›

An Employer Identification Number (EIN).

If you've registered your business as a sole proprietorship, which is very common for Etsy sellers, you're not required to get an EIN since you'll report taxes on your personal tax returns. If you've formed a partnership or LLC, you'll need an EIN.

What do I need to legally open an Etsy shop? ›

An Etsy seller needs a business license if their Etsy activity is a business. If it is a hobby, no license is necessary. However, it is hard to follow the IRS guidelines to determine whether you have a business or a hobby. Therefore, you may want to consult a small business attorney to guide you in the right direction.

Should I form an LLC for my Etsy shop? ›

Depending on how you plan to operate your Etsy business, an LLC may be a good choice when establishing your business structure. It offers the most flexibility when it comes to taxation, ownership, and legal action — making the legal structure of an LLC one of the biggest advantages as a business structure.

How to set up a business bank account for Etsy? ›

On the Etsy site or Sell on Etsy app, select Shop Manager. Click Finances and Payment settings. Then go to bank details, select Update. You may need to confirm your bank information if you haven't done it before.

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