Tax Preparation for Uber & Rideshare Drivers in Tampa

Who this is for

• Full-time rideshare drivers
• Part-time Uber or Lyft drivers
• Food and grocery delivery drivers
• Drivers using several gig-work apps at once
• Drivers who also received a W-2
• Drivers who missed a prior-year filing
• Drivers who received an IRS notice

Problems that usually bring a driver in

• No taxes were withheld, and now a balance is due
• Mileage was not tracked during the year
• 1099-K and 1099-NEC amounts do not match what landed in the bank
• Multiple apps, multiple forms, and no single record of income
• Quarterly estimated payments were never set up
• One or more past years were never filed

What to gather

• Form 1099-NEC, 1099-K, or annual app tax summaries
• Mileage logs or the mileage report from each app
• Vehicle purchase or lease information
• Fuel, repair, maintenance, toll, and parking records
• Phone and data plan costs
• Auto insurance records
• Registration and licensing costs
• Any IRS letters
• Prior-year tax returns
• Records of any estimated-tax payments made

Not every expense is automatically deductible. Expenses generally have to meet tax-law requirements, and you need to keep adequate records. I review the facts and the records before deciding how an item should be reported.

How it works

1. 1. Talk it through. A short conversation about your apps, your vehicle, other income, and any past years or IRS letters.
2. 2. Organize the numbers. I combine your 1099s and app summaries into one clean set of income and expense figures and review your mileage records.
3. 3. Prepare the return. Schedule C, self-employment tax, and any W-2 income on one federal return, with the deduction method that fits your records.
4. 4. Plan ahead. A set-aside amount and a quarterly estimated-tax plan so next year is not a surprise.

I do not promise a particular refund or result. The goal is an accurate return and a clear plan.

Pricing

• $180 — current-year 1099 return (Schedule C, self-employment tax, any W-2 income)
• $80 / quarter — estimated-tax calculation and filing
• $180 / year — prior-year returns

Final pricing depends on the complexity of your return. See the full pricing page.

Frequently asked questions

Do Uber drivers have to file a tax return?

If your net self-employment earnings are $400 or more for the year, you are required to file, even if you also have a W-2 job and even if you did not receive every 1099.

What tax forms do rideshare drivers receive?

Most drivers receive a 1099-NEC (non-employee compensation) and a 1099-K (payment card and third-party network transactions). Some receive only one. Each app also posts an annual tax summary that breaks down gross earnings, fees, and miles.

Can a driver deduct mileage?

Business miles driven while working may be deductible using the standard mileage rate for that tax year, if the miles are properly substantiated with a log or an app report. Commuting and personal miles do not count.

Can actual vehicle expenses be used instead of the mileage rate?

In many cases, yes. The standard mileage rate and the actual-expense method each have rules about when they can be used and switched. I review your records and vehicle situation to determine which applies and which is more favorable.

Can a driver deduct a phone?

The business-use portion of a phone and data plan may be deductible. Personal use has to be separated out, so a reasonable, documented business-use percentage matters.

What if the driver used several delivery apps?

All of the income is reported together on one Schedule C for the driving activity. I combine the app summaries and 1099s into a single set of numbers so nothing is double-counted or missed.

What if the driver also has a W-2 job?

That is common. The W-2 wages and the rideshare income go on the same return. Withholding from the W-2 job can help cover the tax on the gig income, but often not all of it, which is why planning matters.

What happens if last year's return was not filed?

The first step is to identify exactly which years are missing and gather the available records and app summaries. I prepare the delinquent returns and help you respond if the IRS has already sent a notice.

How much should a rideshare driver set aside?

It depends on net profit, filing status, and other income. A common planning range is 25-30% of net earnings. The TaxesbyRoss Set-Aside Calculator gives you a personalized monthly number.

Does TaxesbyRoss prepare prior-year rideshare returns?

Yes. Prior-year returns are prepared at $180 per year. Florida has no state income tax, so for most Tampa drivers this is a federal return only.

Service area

I work with rideshare and delivery drivers across Tampa Bay, including Tampa, Riverview, Brandon, Valrico, and Seffner. The office is at 512 N Franklin St Suite 200, Tampa, FL 33602. Returns can be handled in person or remotely.