Business bank account or regular checking and savings?

Business bank account or regular checking and savings?

Member since 2025 · 3 posts · 5 votes

My boyfriend and I are closing on our first property soon which is a duplex where we will be living in one side and renting out the other. I am stumped as to if it is worth it to get a business bank account or just open a normal checking and savings account. I already have a Stessa account which can be connected with a bank account and has the benefits of collecting rent and keeping track of documents, receipts and transactions. With this being our first property though, would a business bank account just be more of a hassle since we want a joint account with no fees? It seems like not many accounts can be joint or if they are, there's monthly fees. We would also have to close on the house first before being able to open a business account, correct? I am very unsure of what to do, as people are so divided saying yes, you should get one and no, you don't need one.

Thank you!

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  • Member since 2025 · 35 posts · 14 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Allison Cutlip:

    My boyfriend and I are closing on our first property soon which is a duplex where we will be living in one side and renting out the other. I am stumped as to if it is worth it to get a business bank account or just open a normal checking and savings account. I already have a Stessa account which can be connected with a bank account and has the benefits of collecting rent and keeping track of documents, receipts and transactions. With this being our first property though, would a business bank account just be more of a hassle since we want a joint account with no fees? It seems like not many accounts can be joint or if they are, there's monthly fees. We would also have to close on the house first before being able to open a business account, correct? I am very unsure of what to do, as people are so divided saying yes, you should get one and no, you don't need one.

    Thank you!

    Hi Allison, 
    This is definitely something you would want to get advice on from a CPA, preferably one who specializes in real estate. In my experience, you need to open the llc, then go to IRS.gov and get an EIN number. You take your formation document and the EIN document to the bank, and you can open an account in the business name. If you put both of your names on the business, the bank will ask if you want both names as signers on the bank account - so it will just be a joint account that way. 
    There are tax benefits to running everything through an LLC, but again, seek advice from a tax professional. Hope this helps you get started, and good luck with your first property!
  • Alecia LovelessPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1y

    @Allison Cutlip I’d choose whatever account has the most flexibility and the least amount of fees. If it earns interest that’s a bonus.

    I personally have a separate account for each property I own.

    Some people like having just one account for all their properties.

    I find it easier to analyze my metrics with the individual accounts.

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