--- title: "Rideshare & Delivery Driver Bookkeeping | MCC Solutions" description: "Combine platform statements, track mileage and set aside tax. Worked monthly example." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/bookkeeping/guides/bookkeeping-for-rideshare-and-delivery-drivers" --- Bookkeeping guide · Updated October 12, 2026 # Bookkeeping for Rideshare and Delivery Drivers Gig drivers are self-employed, usually working for several apps at once. Each app reports earnings differently, and your car is both your biggest tool and your biggest expense, so documentation matters. By [Matthew Coleman](/about), MCC Solutions **Quick answer.** Download each app's earnings summary regularly, since access may expire. Record gross income by platform and the service fees as expenses, and expect an app's annual tax form not to match exactly what you earned. Want this handled for you? Monthly bookkeeping, cleanup and year-end close for small businesses. Start with a free health check of your books. [Free health check](/bookkeeping/health-check)[Get a quote](/bookkeeping/#interest) **Related:** [Trial balance explained](/bookkeeping/guides/trial-balance-explained) · [Owner contribution or loan](/bookkeeping/guides/owner-equity-and-capital-contributions) · [Closing entries and retained earnings](/bookkeeping/guides/closing-entries-and-retained-earnings) **Free tools:** [Net profit margin calculator](/bookkeeping/net-profit-margin-calculator) · [Early payment discount calculator](/bookkeeping/early-payment-discount-calculator) [![Intuit ProAdvisor Gold tier badge](/img/credentials/intuit-proadvisor-gold.png)](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77)Gold tier in Intuit's ProAdvisor program. [See my Intuit listing](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77) Keeping your own books? Tallyfinch does invoices, bank import and reports on your computer. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) ## Gather statements from every platform Each platform provides weekly or annual earnings summaries showing fares, tips, fees, promotions and sometimes tolls reimbursed. Download them regularly, since access may expire. Record gross income by platform, and the service fees as expenses. Your annual tax form from an app may not match what you actually earned, so use your own records. ## Choose and document a vehicle method There are two common methods: the standard mileage rate or actual vehicle expenses. The right one depends on the vehicle and your situation, and switching later may have limits. Whichever you pick, keep a mileage log with the date, purpose, start and end odometer or an app-based log. Business miles generally include time driving with the app on and trips to pick up passengers, but commuting is treated differently, so ask a tax professional. ## Other deductible costs Phone plans, phone mounts, dash cams, car washes, tolls and parking, insurance endorsements for rideshare, and bags for food delivery can be business expenses, depending on use. Separate personal and business use for items like phones. Keep receipts in one app or folder, and note the business purpose when it is not obvious. ## Taxes and the savings habit No tax is withheld from your payouts. Move a portion of each payout into a separate savings account right away, and make estimated payments as your tax professional recommends. Self-employment tax applies in addition to income tax. A slow week should not stop the savings habit, because the annual bill is calculated on the full year. Open a dedicated checking account for gig income and use a card only for business costs. It makes the monthly report painless. ## Monthly profit check Divide net income by total miles and hours to learn what you actually earn per mile and per hour after costs. Compare apps, times of day and zones. Many drivers find that a lower-paying but shorter trip beats a longer one after fuel and wear. Plan for repairs and tires with a monthly set-aside, and review your insurance coverage with an agent to confirm the personal policy does not leave gaps while the app is on. ## Insurance, repairs and the cost of a mile Add up fuel, oil changes, tires, repairs, insurance, registration and depreciation, then divide by total miles driven for the year. That figure is what each mile truly costs you. Compare it to your average earnings per mile after platform fees. Drivers who do this exercise often drop the worst-paying trips and shift hours to the periods that pay the most. Put a few dollars aside for every mile driven into a vehicle fund, so a large repair does not force you to borrow. ## Worked example with numbers A month's platform statements show $3,200 of gross earnings. The deposits total $2,780 after fees. Record $3,200 as income and $420 as platform fees. Mileage log shows 1,850 business miles. Track other costs like phone share and tolls. Set aside a share of each payout for estimated taxes as your preparer advises. ## Mistakes that cost money Counting deposits as income. No mileage log. Missing tips. Ignoring estimated taxes. ## Check your work Compare platform year-end summaries to your monthly totals. ## Common questions **Do I need to track mileage if I use actual expenses?** Yes. You still need the business percentage, which comes from a mileage log. **Are tips income?** Yes. Tips are reportable income whether they come through the app or in cash. This guide is general information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Rules, fees and due dates change; check with the IRS, the NJ Division of Taxation or a licensed professional for your situation. Let us handle it [### Monthly bookkeeping Categorizing, reconciling and monthly reports, with cleanup, payroll and NJ filings available. Bookkeeping →](/bookkeeping/) [### Wave Bookkeeping help for Wave users in New Jersey, and when it makes sense to outgrow Wave. Cleanup, reconciliation and moves to another platform. Wave →](/bookkeeping/software/wave)[### QuickBooks Online Monthly bookkeeping, cleanup and reconciliation in QuickBooks Online for New Jersey small businesses. Your account stays in your name. QuickBooks →](/bookkeeping/software/quickbooks-online) More guides - [Bookkeeping for Subscription and SaaS Businesses](/bookkeeping/guides/bookkeeping-for-subscription-and-saas-businesses) - [How to Set Up Bank Rules in QuickBooks Online](/bookkeeping/guides/quickbooks-online-bank-rules) - [QuickBooks Online Classes and Locations Explained](/bookkeeping/guides/quickbooks-online-classes-and-locations) - [Recurring Transactions in QuickBooks Online](/bookkeeping/guides/quickbooks-online-recurring-transactions) Free tool - [Bookkeeping health check](/bookkeeping/health-check) [All guides](/bookkeeping/guides) Reach small business owners, freelancers and bookkeepers who read this guide: [advertise here](/advertise#bookkeeping). Excel workbook ### Gig Driver Income and Mileage Tracker Log each day by platform and see what you really earn per mile and per hour, which platform pays best, and how much to set aside for taxes. [See what is inside ($19)](/toolkits/gig-driver-income-mileage-tracker) Also in the [Driver and Side Hustle Bundle](/toolkits/driver-side-hustle-bundle): 3 products for $49 instead of $62 separately. Tallyfinch ### Books you keep on your own computer Tallyfinch does invoices, bills, bank import, reconciliation and the main reports, in a file you own. $99 once, then $5 a month for updates; the app keeps working if you stop the plan. It does not do payroll or sales tax filing. The free download records up to 60 entries. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) [Download it free](/tools/pro/trial/mccBooks) [Compare the three apps](/software) ## Rather have us keep the books? Ask for a quote. [Get a Quote](/bookkeeping/#interest)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)