We came across this post on uberpeople.net and commented on it. The questions asked is below.
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Any clues on how to find the best recordkeeping, tax filing advice? Key word search shows a lot of info on this from 2016. Bah-humbug. I’m thinking I might get a CPA’s help once, and see how they organize and arrange…and do my own work after. But maybe there are tax magicians to be found.
I save receipts and records, and am moderately educated on common deductions. I have been hammered with car expenses over and over and have not contacted the IRS at all this year (last year I did not earn enough to get a 1099 and just used TurboTax).
Perhaps I’m equipped to handle it on my own. I use Excel, although I’m kinda playing catch-up with logging everything and thinking my bookkeeping may not need to be as meticulous as I’m making it. I enter weekly earnings. I copy & paste fueling records from Speedway. I document mileage at every fill-up. My mileage is for sure 95% rideshare–maybe higher (I record exceptions)!
Not looking for app suggestions, by the way. I know the best rated ones and am not interested.
I’m not real big on traveling far from New Lenox/Mokena for help. But I suppose it’s a 1x or 2x consult and maybe there’s a real magician out there with Illinois-specific advice.
Here is our response:
Here is our advice. Coming from an Accountant, Tax Expert and a former Uber Driver.
Most of us drive ourselves to work and to other destinations. If we do not have a car, we use public transportation. There is a difference between driving yourself and driving as a Uber or Lyft driver.
Here is the difference
When we are driving ourselves, all we do is to sit at the wheel, turn on the engine and get going. We do not put any thoughts into what the rules of the road are. The rules are subconsciously programmed into our heads. That is, we start the engine and go to where ever we are heading. We stopped at the stop lights, stop signs, and signal left or right and get to where we want to go. That is so easy. It’s routine !!!
When I am driving for uber, I do much the same as above. The difference being is that I am more conscientious of the laws that governs driving. I tend to drive for Uber with my antenna up. I now know that have the responsibility of taking my passenger to his/her destination safely. The same applies to Do-it-Yourself taxes and have a Tax Expert do your taxes.
A Tax Professional is much more verse in the laws that govern preparing taxes. He or She can save you time and money. He or she has been trained to know what is allowable or not allowable. What is deductible or not deductible. For example, you can not say I made $50,000 driving and my expenses are $45,000. Like how do you support yourself? Are you married or single? What makes up the $45,000 allowable expenses?
That knowledge the Tax Preparer has comes from education, training and experience. You can not do taxes without knowing the ramifications and consequences of taking non-deductible expenses.
We can help you with your taxes.
We can help save you money and time.
We are Tax Experts. We are LA PREMIER Tax Service.
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