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Is your business ready for payments?

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Readiness checklist

Before you submit the merchant account application, we highly recommend reviewing the following list to see if your business is ready to start taking payments.

  1. I have a legal business name and business structure.
  2. I have registered my business with state and local agencies.
  3. I have an EIN from the IRS with supporting documentation such as a SS-4 or 147c letter. (This does not apply to sole proprietors doing business under their social security number.)
  4. I have a bank account for my business.
  5. I already have customers or I am ready to start taking new clients.

If you are still working on these items or you are working through changes to your business model, we recommend waiting for the merchant account until you are closer to taking payments. If you have questions or need help, keep reading for information about free resources and tools.

If you have been in business for a while and you already have customers now or as soon as your new business is ready to launch, you are ready for payment processing!

Free resources for your business

Our Business Resource Center is filled with tons of expert advice to help new and established businesses thrive. Best of all, it is 100% free with no obligation! 

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, we provide you need to make smart decisions, streamline operations, and achieve long-term success. 

Enable payments!

We highly recommend reading Tips for the merchant application before you begin. Incorrect or missing information can cause unnecessary delays and requests to provide additional information. Avoiding the common mistakes we've addressed in this article will help expedite the processing of your application.

When finished, log in and go to Enable Payments to complete the Merchant Account Application. If you are on desktop, Enable Payments is in the left sidebar. If you are in the mobile app or in a web browser on a mobile device, go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner and select Enable Payments.