Best Tax Tools for Gig Workers and Rideshare Drivers

Gig and rideshare work means you are effectively self-employed, so you report income (often on a 1099) and can deduct legitimate business expenses - but only if you track them.

Mileage is usually the biggest write-off, so record it as you go. A Mileage Log Book gives you a contemporaneous record that holds up far better than an end-of-year estimate. Capture other costs - phone, supplies, tolls - in a Tax Deduction Log Book so nothing slips through.

To learn what you can actually claim, 475 Tax Deductions for Businesses and Self-Employed Individuals is a deep, category-by-category catalog of write-offs many drivers miss.

When it is time to file, FreeTaxUSA handles self-employment income and Schedule C at no cost for federal, which keeps more of your earnings in your pocket. Remember that gig income usually is not withheld, so you may owe quarterly estimated taxes - if you are unsure how much to set aside, consult a tax professional.