I drive for Uber and do some DoorDash deliveries, plus I have a regular W2 job. Last year I struggled to find free tax software that understood gig worker deductions properly. Most free options either didn't have the right forms or tried to upsell me immediately.
I need free tax software for gig workers that can handle multiple 1099 forms, track mileage automatically (or at least make it easy to enter), and understand business expense deductions. The mileage tracking is especially important since that's my biggest deduction.
Has anyone found free tax software with good import features for ride-sharing apps? Or at least something that makes entering gig income straightforward?
As a gig worker myself, I've tested most of the options. Here's what I've found:
Cash App Taxes handles gig income pretty well for free. It has a section for business income" that works for ride-sharing and delivery apps. The mileage deduction calculator is basic but functional.
FreeTaxUSA also handles Schedule C for free, which is what you need for gig income. Their interface for business deductions is more detailed than Cash App Taxes.
The real challenge with free tax software for gig workers is the lack of automatic import from apps like Uber and DoorDash. You'll need to download your annual summary from each platform and enter the numbers manually.
For mileage tracking, none of the free options have automatic tracking. You need to use a separate app (like Stride or Everlance - both have free versions) to track your miles throughout the year.
I drive for Uber too, and I use FreeTaxUSA. It's free for federal even with Schedule C, and it handles all the gig worker deductions I need.
The mileage entry is straightforward - you just enter your total business miles for the year and it calculates the deduction. You do need to track your miles separately though. I use the Stride app (free) to track all my driving.
One tip: make sure you're claiming all your eligible deductions. Besides mileage, you can deduct part of your phone bill, car washes, snacks/drinks for passengers, and other expenses directly related to your gig work.
FreeTaxUSA doesn't walk you through all these deductions like paid software might, so you need to know what you can claim. But once you know, it's easy to enter them.
My roommate does DoorDash and he uses Cash App Taxes. He says it's completely free and handles his gig income fine.
He did mention that you need to be careful about how you enter your income. The apps give you a 1099-NEC form, but sometimes they also provide a detailed earnings summary that shows adjustments and fees. Make sure you're entering the correct numbers.
Also, if you have multiple gig apps, you'll need to combine all your income and expenses. Cash App Taxes lets you enter multiple income sources on Schedule C, which is helpful.
The main limitation he found was lack of guidance. If you don't know what deductions you can claim, you might miss some. He had to do some research online to figure out all the eligible deductions.