Whether you’re a new or experienced driver, maximizing your tax benefits is essential. The more you know about the deductions and 2021-exclusive tax benefits you can take, the more money you’ll put back into your wallet!
That’s why keeping track of all your expenses and mileage is crucial.
Keep Track of Your Mileage
Whether you are an Uber driver or driving for Lyft, Doordash, or another app-based gig economy service, keeping track of your miles is essential. This will help you maximize your tax benefits and avoid paying the IRS back later.
You can track your miles using a paper log or a smartphone app. It’s crucial to pick a simple app that doesn’t take much time or effort.
Many apps on the market offer mileage tracking and report generation. Some of them are free, while others cost a small fee. These apps benefit drivers who drive for multiple services and want to ensure they can claim mileage deductions for all their business trips.
Most of these apps will help you categorize your business miles and create IRS-compliant reports for when it’s time to file your taxes. They will also help you calculate your estimated quarterly taxes and to know the tax deductions for uber drivers.
Some apps also have a built-in mileage calculator, making it easier to find your deductible miles. You can even get advice from these applications on increasing your deductions.
The app will generate a report you can share with your employer or accountant to maximize your deductions. It will also let you take photos of receipts and link your bank account or credit card so you can keep track of your expenses and mileage.
Keeping a separate bank account or credit card for your business expenses can also be beneficial since it will keep you from mixing personal and work expenses. This will ensure that you avoid accidentally writing off a business expense as a personal expense when filing your taxes.
The best way to keep track of your miles is with a smartphone app that tracks all your business trips, so you can easily differentiate them from personal ones. These apps are great for individuals and small businesses because they are easy to use, affordable, and convenient.
Keep Track of Your Expenses
If you’re an Uber driver, you must keep track of your expenses to maximize your tax benefits.
You can use expense management software to track expenses and claim deductions on your tax return. However, you should ensure your chosen app is compatible with your vehicle.
Additionally, ensure the software you utilize for this purpose is free to download and has an intuitive user interface. This will save you the time and aggravation of filing your taxes using paper receipts.
If you want to ensure that you get all the tax deductions, keeping track of your expenses and using them as proof that they are related to your work as an Uber driver is critical. This may comprise expenses for gas, insurance, and depreciation.
Additionally, you can benefit from the standard mileage deduction, which enables you to deduct a set payment amount for each mile you travel. As a result, you might spend less on gas and auto repairs.
If you’re new to driving for rideshare companies, you may have difficulty keeping track of your expenses.
Keep Track of Your Taxes
Whether you are going for Uber full-time or as a side hustle, your earnings are subject to tax. Fortunately, you can minimize your taxes by keeping accurate records of your income and expenses.
Keeping track of your mileage and other expenses can help you identify possible tax deductions, which are money you can save on your tax bill. By taking advantage of these write-offs, you can minimize your total tax bill and get a friendly refund at the end of the year.
For instance, you can write off transportation costs, insurance premiums, and cell phone costs (even those associated with a plan for your place of employment). A desk and chair, lighting, and other home office necessities required to run your business can all be claimed as a percentage of your overall business expenditures.
One way to keep track of your tax bill is to create a spreadsheet that lists all your expenses and income. This will make filling out your tax forms easier when it’s time to file them.
Once you have your records, it is time to file your tax return. The IRS will provide you with a tax form, Schedule C, allowing you to report your net income from your ridesharing business and all of the deductions you qualify for.
Keep Track of Your Time
When you drive for Uber, keeping track of your time is essential. Knowing how long you work and when you get paid is critical whether you’re a full-time driver or want to make some extra cash.
Keeping track of your time can help you stay on top of your earnings and ensure you’re paying all the taxes you need to. You can also benefit from tax breaks that considerably reduce your taxes.
To keep track of your driving time, you’ll need to download the Uber driver app and set up a profile with your email address. Once you’ve done that, you can review your driver dashboard, which includes essential information you cannot find elsewhere.
You can also use this app to monitor rider activity and identify times of day or week when demand is higher. These are called “peak times” and can be a great way to increase your earnings.
It’s also important to note when events in your area may cause surge pricing. These can include concerts, sporting events, and other activities that attract a lot of riders.
In addition to tracking your time, you’ll need to keep track of the miles you drive when driving for Uber. This will help you claim a mileage deduction.
Another way to track your driving is by using the GPS feature of your phone. Once you’ve enabled the GPS function, it will scan your travel and record your driving. This can be an excellent way to reclaim any mileage you’ve missed.
