How to File Your Taxes for Uber, Lyft and Other Popular Gig Apps

Tax Day 2022 is closing in, and the burden for gig workers is a little heavier because you’re considered independent contractors — not employees — of the popular app-based companies you work for.

After two years of filing extensions because of the pandemic, we’ve returned to a more familiar April deadline. The deadline to file your federal taxes is April 18.

While seasoned freelancers and gig workers likely know the drill when it comes to the process of filing your own taxesit can be a daunting task for anyone new to the industry. The key thing to remember is that you’re responsible for reporting your gig work income for every client or company that paid you more than $600 in 2021.

One reason for all the confusion? Your tax documents may not have arrived via snail mail (the way they typically would with a full-time employer) — especially as more and more companies start offering digital copies of tax filing documents.

Regardless, you should have received everything you need (on paper, digitally, or both) from any companies you contracted with by Jan. 31. In any year, if you haven’t gotten anything by late February, reach out ASAP.

Here’s a rundown of the tax forms you’ll need to use as a gig worker – plus a look at the tax policies of four of the most popular gig app companies: DoorDash, Grubhub, Lyft and Uber.

Common Tax Forms for Gig Workers

In the eyes of the IRS, you’re a self-employed worker. That means it’s up to you to compile the appropriate tax forms and accurately report your income.

Common Income Forms Sent to You

Companies that paid you more than $600 in a calendar year should send you a 1099 (either digitally or in the mail), as required by law. If you work across multiple apps, it’s possible you will receive a 1099 from each company. And depending on what companies you work for, you may receive up to three different types of 1099 per company.

The 1099-NEC was introduced in 2020 and is the main tax…