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The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Capital One Spark Cash Plus†, U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®, Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit†, Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi, Capital One 1% Classic†. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

You can earn huge rewards when you use a cash back business credit card for your monthly business expenses. There are tons of cash back small business credit cards on the market, but not all of them offer generous welcome bonuses, terrific perks, or flexible redemption options.

You don't need to be a large corporation to qualify for a small business credit card; small-business owners and folks working side gigs (such as Lyft drivers, childcare providers, Instacart shoppers, freelancers, and tutors) are eligible.

Best Cash Back Business Cards of 2023

These are Insider's current picks for the best cash back business credit cards.

Compare the Best Cash Back Business Credit Cards

 

Cash Back Business Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the best cash back business card for me?

Choose a cash back business card based on your company's spending habits and financial goals. If your typical expenses don't fall within most credit card bonus categories, a card that earns a flat rate of cash back across all purchases is probably the best choice for you. Alternatively, try to find a card that offers specific perks and benefits that could benefit your business such as employee card benefits, no foreign transaction fees, and travel and purchase protection.

Will I be taxed for earning cash back on a business credit card?

Cash back on a business credit card is generally not taxable. Credit card rewards are usually considered rebates on purchases, not income. However, you should always consult with a tax professional about your personal tax situation.

Do I need an EIN to get a business card?

You can use your EIN (employee identification number issued by the IRS) and your Social Security Number (SSN) to apply for a business card. But if you don't have one, you can apply for a business credit card with just your SSN — no EIN necessary.

Can I get a business credit card if my personal credit score is low?

Anyone with a for-profit venture can apply for a small business credit card. But if you have a low credit score, you may not be approved for the best small business credit cards.

You might still be eligible for business cards geared toward those with limited or fair credit, such as the Capital One®️ Spark®️ Classic for Business. And if you have poor credit, you may be eligible for a secured credit card, which can raise your credit score with responsible use.

Can I use my business card for personal expenses?

You can technically use your business card for personal purchases, but that doesn't mean it's wise. Keeping business and personal expenses separate makes things easier at tax time, for starters, so making personal purchases on your business credit card can make things more difficult to track.

Some credit card issuers also take a dim view of making personal purchases on a business credit card, so it's best to avoid the practice.

Cash Back Business Credit Card Reviews

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card - Product Name Only

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card has no annual fee and earns bonus rewards on popular spending categories with flexible redemption options.

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is marketed as a cash back card, but it actually earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Cardholders earn:

  • 5% cash back (5 points per dollar) on the first $25,000 spent (then 1x) in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year
  • 2% cash back (2 points per dollar) on the first $25,000 spent (then 1x) in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
  • 1% cash back (1x point per dollar) on all other purchases with no cap

The generous Ink Business Cash® Credit Card welcome bonus offer and terrific cash back rewards make it a great choice for your monthly business expenses. Keep in mind your 5x and 2x bonus points are capped after the first $25,000 spent per year in each bonus category, after which you'll only earn 1 point per dollar. So if your business expenses easily exceed the $25,000 cap, you might want to consider a different cash-back business credit card. 

You can redeem your points for cash directly or as a statement credit, gift card, travel purchases booked through Chase (like airline tickets, hotel accommodations, car rentals, activities, and cruises), and other products and services from third-party merchants.

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers Ink Business Cash® Credit Card - Intro APR (then a Ink Business Cash® Credit Card - Regular APR APR). If you plan on spending a large chunk of cash on supplies, technology, or equipment, the intro APR offer could help you pay off large expenses over time without incurring high-interest charges.  

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card cardholders also receive decent purchase and travel protection benefits, such as auto rental insurance, travel and emergency assistance services, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection. Plus, employee cards are free and can be tracked with bookkeeping software and account management tools.

Chase Ink Business Cash credit card review

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card - Product Name Only

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card - Product Name Only

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card earns unlimited cash back on all purchases (no cap), also with no annual fee. It comes with a welcome bonus and has a generous 0% intro APR offer on purchases, but not balance transfers. 

Like the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. The card earns 1.5% cash back (1.5 points per dollar) on all purchases.

There's a Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card - Intro APR (then a Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card - Regular APR APR).

Just like the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, you can redeem your points for cash, statement credits, gift cards, travel booked through Chase, and for other products and services from third-party merchants. Your points won't expire as long as the account is open, employee cards are free, and you'll get access to tools that can help your small business.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card cardholders also receive benefits like fraud protection, auto rental collision damage waiver, extended warranty protection, travel and emergency assistance services, and purchase protection. However, there is a foreign transaction fee which means it's not an ideal credit card for travel overseas. 

Chase Ink Business Unlimited credit card review

Capital One Spark Cash Plus† - Product Name Only

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a great credit card for businesses that need the flexibility of no preset spending limit, for a moderate annual fee. Plus, big spenders can earn an additional yearly bonus. 

You can earn 2% unlimited cash back rewards on every purchase, with no categories to keep track of, and no preset spending limit (spending limit is determined by spending behavior, payment history, credit profile, and other factors) with the Capital One Spark Cash Plus. The card also earns 5% cash back rewards on hotels and rental cars when you use Capital One Travel for your bookings. In addition, you can earn a $150 bonus every year you spend $150,000.

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus has no regular APR because you pay the full balance each month (if you don't, you'll be charged a 2.99% monthly late fee). 

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus allows managers to access accounts from multiple devices, track and monitor employee purchases, lock and unlock employee cards, and receive alerts on flagged purchases. Also, employees earn rewards when they use their cards. 

Rewards are redeemable as statement credits, checks, or gift cards. Further, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus has great benefits like no foreign transaction fees, free employee cards, travel and purchase protection***, and payment flexibility.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus card review

Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card - Product Name Only

The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for folks looking for customizable rewards (especially if you're already a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member) with no annual fee. And it earns a generous welcome bonus, plus a handful of solid perks.

The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card is unique in that it allows you to choose a 3% cash back bonus category from a list of popular business expenses (gas stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom and wireless, computer services, or business consulting services). Cardholders also earn 2% cash back on dining and 1% back on all other purchases. (3% and 2% cash-back categories are capped at $50,000 per year in spending combined; after that, you'll earn 1% back).

The good thing about this card is you can change your 3% category once each calendar month, so it's ideal for businesses with variable expenses. For instance, one month you might have big travel expenses for your business, but the next you might spend a lot upgrading computer equipment — by switching your 3% category to fit your purchases, you can maximize the cash back you earn.

The welcome bonus offer is quite generous for a no-annual-fee card, and you'll also get a Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card - Intro APR (then a Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card - Regular APR APR). 

Your rewards won't expire as long as your account is active. You can redeem your cash rewards as statement credits, as a direct deposit, or for credit to a qualifying Merrill account. Plus, if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer, you can earn up to 75% more rewards (depending on how much you have on deposit/invested with Bank of America or Merrill).

The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card comes with additional benefits like cash flow management tools, travel accident insurance, and car rental insurance. The card does have foreign transaction fees, so it's not a good pick for international purchases.

Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card review

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card - Product Name Only

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card earns 2% cash back on the first $50,000 spent per calendar year (then 1% back). It comes with a decent welcome bonus, a good intro APR offer, and a selection of travel and shopping benefits. 

You earn 2% cash back on all purchases (up to $50,000) each year – you'll earn 1% cash back then after – with the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card for no annual fee. That's why this card ranks highly on our list of the best 2% cash back credit cards.

You can receive The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card - Intro APR (then a The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card - Regular APR APR). This makes it a great option for businesses looking to pay off larger purchases over multiple billing cycles.  

The card usually has no welcome bonus, but it's currently offering The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card - Intro Bonus.

Your cash back rewards will be automatically credited to your statement. So if you don't want to redeem your rewards as statement credits, this card isn't a good fit. Also, if you plan on spending well over $50,000 annually, you should consider a different cash-back business credit card without a spending cap.

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card includes benefits like car rental loss and damage insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and access to Amex Offers**. Employee cards can be set up with spending limits (you can do so online or by calling American Express), as well as alerts and management through the American Express App. 

Amex Blue Business Cash card review

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® - Product Name Only

The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® annual fee U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® earns unlimited cash back on gas, office supply stores, travel, and cell phone service providers (no cap). Folks also receive a terrific intro APR offer, annual software credit, and solid rewards and perks (including World Elite Mastercard benefits). 

You'll earn 3% cash back at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants (1% cash back on all other eligible purchases). You'll also earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals when you use the Rewards Center for your bookings.

The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is ideal for businesses that spend big in these bonus categories, and those who would benefit from the decent intro APR offer. You'll also earn a $100 software credit every year towards subscriptions like FreshBooks or Quickbooks.

The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® offers U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® - Intro APR (then a U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® - Regular APR APR). 

The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® does charge foreign transaction fees, which doesn't make it ideal for travel overseas. The card also has a high spending requirement before you can unlock the bonus. It's also important to keep in mind that purchases made by authorized users don't count towards the minimum spending requirement.

You can redeem rewards as a statement credit or a direct deposit (the minimum to redeem is $25). You can also redeem rewards with Real-Time Rewards which you can then use to cover eligible purchases charged to your card. 

US Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards card review

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit† - Product Name Only

The Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit annual fee Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit earns folks unlimited cash back on all purchases with no category restrictions. Plus, you'll earn additional cash rewards on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. It's ideal for business owners with excellent credit looking for a straightforward card with generous cash-back rewards.

You'll earn 1.5% unlimited cash-back rewards on all purchases with the Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit. You'll also earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars when you book through Capital One Travel. You can redeem rewards as a statement credit, or as either a check or cash. 

The 5% cash back is a decent deal if you already use Capital One Travel for your bookings. Plus, if you've got a Capital One miles-earning card, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you can convert the cash back you earn into Capital One miles at a rate of 1 mile per cent. You can then potentially receive outsized value for your rewards by transferring them to Capital One travel partners such as Air Canada Aeroplan, Turkish Airlines, Wyndham, and more.

The Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit has no intro APR offer, just a regular APR rate of Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit. So it's not ideal for folks trying to pay down credit card debt or large purchases over multiple billing cycles. 

The Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit gets you roadside assistance, purchase records, $0 fraud liability for unauthorized charges, extended warranty, and payment flexibility. It doesn't have a foreign transaction fee, which makes it a good card for intentional travel. Employee cards are free and you can track employee spending and set spending limits, as well as earn rewards on their purchases. You can also lock a misplaced, lost, or stolen card from your Capital One account.

Capital One Spark Cash Select review

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi - Product Name Only

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi earns strong rewards rates on gas, EV charging, Costco purchases, travel, and restaurants. This is a great no-annual-fee card for small business owners who spend a lot in these categories, especially gas.

If you often spend on travel, gas, EV charging, and at restaurants, you could earn big with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi. Here's what you'll earn: 

  • 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging worldwide up to $7,000 annually (1% thereafter)
  • 3% unlimited cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases around the globe
  • 2% unlimited cash back on all other Costco and Costco.com purchases
  • 1% on all other purchases

You'll receive your earned cash back (otherwise known as Costco Cash Rewards) as an annual credit card reward certificate (after your February billing statement closes). You can then redeem your certificate for cash or merchandise at any US Costco warehouse — this could be potentially tricky for folks who don't live near a physical Costco location — and you can't redeem rewards as statement credits or travel. 

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi has a Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi - Regular APR APR. 

Unfortunately, there is no public welcome offer on this card. But you can apply in person at a Costco warehouse and inquire as to whether there's any special promotion you're targeted for. Some members will receive a welcome bonus of sorts.

If your business is looking to benefit from a bonus, or you need a low APR on purchases or balance transfers, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi isn't a good fit. Similarly, if your business doesn't spend big at Costco, or if you want simpler and more flexible redemption options, you should consider a different cash-back business credit card. 

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi cardholders get perks such as extended warranty protection, damage and theft protection, Citi Entertainment, Citi Concierge, and Citi Mobile app. 

Costco Anywhere Visa Business card by Citi review

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose The Best Cash Back Business Credit Cards

The small business credit card scene is wild. Many offers are considerably better than on consumer products in the same genre. And cash back credit cards are aplenty.

We've added to this post the absolute best cash back business credit cards based on the following features:

  • Large welcome bonus
  • High return rates
  • Practical (and valuable) ongoing benefits

We've thoroughly reviewed and graded nearly every credit card in existence by category (best cash back cards, best travel credit cards, best no annual fee cards, etc.). Read our credit card reviews hub to see which cards are at the top of their respective food chain.

Here's more about how we rate and review credit cards at Insider.

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Best Cash Back Business Credit Cards of November 2023