How old do you have to be to open a business bank account?

Usually eighteen to open one alone. Before that, it means a joint account with a parent or a custodial arrangement.

Policies vary quite a bit between banks and credit unions, and credit unions are often more flexible. The fastest way to get a real answer is a ten minute phone call to your own bank, because the rules are set by the institution rather than by law.

You do not need this on day one. Your kid can be paid in cash at the start, or through your account.

You do need it before the money gets confusing, and that arrives sooner than people expect. Once business money, birthday money, and allowance are in the same place, nobody can tell whether the business is actually making anything. Your kid will think they are doing well because there is cash in the drawer.

A separate place for business money is the easiest good habit to build early and the hardest to build later. It also makes any tax conversation far simpler, because the answer to how much did you make becomes a number instead of an afternoon of detective work.

One thing to ask about on that call: whether the account can accept digital payments. A teen who can only take cash will lose jobs, since most neighbors would rather send it from their phone.

More on the setup: what your kid legally needs to start a business.

This is general information, not financial or legal advice.