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Tax information for US drivers

Use the following article to begin preparing your taxes as a Lyft driver. We’ll do our best to break taxes down for you, but keep in mind that the following isn’t tax advice.

For questions about your specific tax situation or how to file taxes, speak with a tax professional in good standing with the IRS.

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How drivers are classified

Drivers and riders are users of the platform and aren't employees of the company. As members of the community platform, drivers and riders aren't entitled to benefits, worker's compensation, or unemployment insurance.

Lyft is a peer-to-peer transportation platform, meaning drivers use their own cars to pick up passengers, who use the app to request a ride. Because Lyft is committed to safety and community, drivers go through a series of screenings, including background checks and car safety inspections.

Lyft doesn't fit into the traditional taxi or limousine model. Our government relations team works hard to create regulations that fit the needs of drivers and passengers, and, most importantly, keep everyone safe.

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How to view tax info or print 1099 forms

We provide yearly information for a year by the end of January in the following year. For example, yearly information for 2017 will be available in the Dashboard by the end of January 2018.

Your yearly information and any 1099 forms you qualified for (requirements below) are viewable using the Dashboard, or the Lyft Driver app. 

To view using the Dashboard:

  1. Log into the Dashboard at https://www.lyft.com/drive/dashboard
  2. Click on ‘Tax Information.’
  3. To view information from a different year, back to 2014 at the earliest (we are unable to provide information from 2013 or earlier), click the pink links to switch between years. 
  4. If there is a 1099 available for a year, you'll see a link to click to view it.

To view using the App:

  1. Open the Lyft Driver app.
  2. Tap your profile photo in the top left.
  3. Tap ‘Dashboard.’
  4. Tap the menu icon in the upper corner.
  5. Tap ‘Tax Information.’
  6. To view information from a different year, back to 2014 at the earliest, click the pink links to switch between years.
  7. If there is a 1099 available for a year, you'll see a link to click to view it.

To print a 1099 form: 

  1. Log in to your Driver Dashboard at http://www.lyft.com/login on a desktop or laptop
  2. Tap the 'Tax information' tab
  3. Tap the 1099 link you want to view
  4. Tap the file from your toolbar
  5. Tap 'Print'

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Proof of income

We've found that weekly summaries or annual earnings will suffice for most cases (for example, loan applications).

If you need to access a history of weekly summaries, log in to the Dashboard and tap 'Driving History.' From there you can view your summaries and earnings by ride, day, week, and year.

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Form 1099 Eligibility

All drivers are considered users of the Lyft platform. No matter the type of income you report, you are not considered an employee of Lyft.

Some, but not all, drivers are eligible to receive a Form 1099 from Lyft. The following drivers will receive these types of Form 1099s:

  • Form 1099-K: Drivers who earned at least $600 in gross ride receipts from passengers in the last year will receive a Form 1099-K. 
  • Form 1099-MISC: Drivers who earned at least $600 from activities other than driving (e.g., referral bonuses, Express Drive bonuses, Mentoring, or other incentives) in the last year will receive a Form 1099-MISC.

Tax filing resources:

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Drivers with Form 1099-K or 1099-MISC

1099-K: If you receive a 1099-K from us, the dollar amount in Box 1 consists of the gross receipts from all rides you were paid for in 2016 (excluding the Service Fee and other third-party fees, such as airport and city fees, sales tax, and other taxes if applicable).

See more instructions and graphics from our partner TurboTax at How to use your Lyft 1099. 

  • Heads up: This gross amount includes Lyft fees and tolls, so the number will be larger than what you took home in ride-related earnings. The 1099-K doesn’t provide a separate box for Lyft to report its cumulative fees or tolls to you, but you can find these breakdowns in the 'Tax Information' tab of the Driver Dashboard.

Read more:

1099-MISC: If you receive a 1099-MISC, the dollar amount in Box 7 is all income not related to ride earnings, like referral bonuses, Express Drive bonuses, or Mentoring.

See more instructions and graphics from our partner Intuit at Tax Help for Lyft Drivers: How to File Your Lyft 1099.

Read more:

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Drivers without Form 1099

Not eligible for a Form 1099? No sweat. Whether you receive a form or not, we’ll provide an annual summary in the Driver Dashboard with your yearly driver stats.

Your driver stats will include the number of rides you gave, gross earnings from rides, non-ride earnings (such as incentives or referral bonuses), tolls, and mileage information.

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Driver Dashboard Annual Summary

The Driver Dashboard annual summary shows your gross and net earnings and your total miles.

Non-ride earnings include:

  • Referral bonuses
  • Mentor payments
  • Rental Rewards for Express Drive
  • Average Hourly Guarantees
  • Power Driver Bonus
  • Manual and promotion bonuses

Ride earnings include:

  • Payments from passengers
  • Tips from passengers
  • Tolls automatically charged to passengers and paid to drivers
  • Automatic cancellation fees
  • Lyft's fees

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Driver Dashboard troubleshooter

The Driver Dashboard is available for all drivers, even those who have been deactivated.

If you can’t access your Driver Dashboard, it may be because you have a new name, address, or phone number. Learn How to change your address or phone number.

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Region-specific taxes

Hawaii

Drivers in Hawaii may owe Gross Excise Tax ("GET") on their gross income. For additional information see Hawaii Tax Information Release No. 2018-01 and the Hawaiian Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Business Action Center. Always consult with a tax advisor.

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Other tax resources

Lyft does not offer legal or tax advice. Always consult with a tax advisor or financial management service. Below are some links from TurboTax and the IRS about filing taxes.

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See also:

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