Rideshare & Gig Economy Taxes

It depends on which mileage method you use — if you use the standard mileage rate, a detailing subscription generally isn't separately deductible, but if you use the actual expense method, it can be, as a vehicle maintenance cost tied to keeping your car passenger-ready. The standard mileage rate is built to cover the average cost of operating a vehicle for business use, including routine upkeep like washes and light detailing. If you've chosen that method for the year, you g

No — airport fees and surge pricing don't change how you report your income; they're simply part of your total gross earnings from the platform, reported the same way as any other fare. Uber and Lyft both pass along extra charges during airport pickups (like a municipal airport fee) and during high-demand periods (surge or prime time pricing). These amounts show up as part of the total fare a rider pays, and they flow through to your driver earnings the same way a regular far

Yes — if you drive an electric or hybrid vehicle for Uber or Lyft and use the actual expense method, EV charging costs are deductible the same way gas would be for a traditional vehicle, though the standard mileage rate changes how this works. If you use the standard mileage rate (a flat amount per business mile), that rate already factors in the average cost of fuel — including electricity — so you can't separately deduct your charging costs on top of it. But if you use the

Most rideshare drivers should set aside 25–30% of their earnings for taxes, though the exact number depends on your total income, filing status, and how much you're able to deduct, since self-employment tax applies on top of regular income tax. As a rideshare driver, Uber and Lyft don't withhold taxes from your pay, so you're responsible for both income tax and self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare and currently runs 15.3% of your net earnings. This s