What mileage does Lyft report on the annual summary?

Lyft reports total miles driven during rides (passenger in car) and en-route miles (accepted but not yet picked up). You can also deduct online miles before your first ride, which Lyft does not track.

Do I need a separate business account to deduct Lyft expenses?

Not legally, but a dedicated debit or credit card for all Lyft-related purchases makes recordkeeping much simpler at tax time.

Is Lyft's service fee deductible?

If you report your gross fares as income (recommended), you can deduct Lyft's service fee as a commission expense on Line 10. Do not double-dip by reporting net earnings and also deducting the fee.

Can I drive for both Uber and Lyft and deduct mileage for both?

Yes — track mileage for each platform separately using a mileage app that lets you log the platform. Both deductions flow to the same Schedule C or separate ones if you treat them as different businesses.

Schedule C · Self-Employed

Tax Write-Offs for Lyft Drivers

Lyft drivers are independent contractors who receive a 1099 at year-end rather than a W-2. That means you pay your own taxes — and you get to deduct your own expenses. The most important thing Lyft drivers can do is track mileage every single day they drive.

Avg. annual savings$2,300

Track My Lyft Driver Write-Offs — $14/mo

Top 5 Tax Write-Offs for Lyft Drivers

Vehicle Mileage

100% deductible

Business miles include the entire period your Lyft Driver app is active — not just when a passenger is in the car. At $0.70/mile in 2025, a driver who logs 10,000 online miles can deduct $7,000.

Schedule C, Line 9

Phone & Data

100% deductible

Your smartphone is required to receive ride requests and navigate. The business-use percentage of your monthly plan and phone hardware is deductible.

Schedule C, Line 25

Vehicle Maintenance

100% deductible

Oil changes, tire rotations, brake work, and other maintenance keep your vehicle Lyft-eligible. If using actual expenses, deduct at your business-use percentage.

Schedule C, Line 9

Car Accessories

100% deductible

Magnetic phone mounts, aux cables, USB charging ports, and seat covers purchased to operate as a Lyft driver are deductible supplies.

Schedule C, Line 22

Car Washes

100% deductible

Keeping a clean vehicle is a Lyft platform requirement. Car wash costs — including monthly memberships — are deductible as business supplies when used primarily for Lyft.

Schedule C, Line 22

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Only tracking trip miles from Lyft's app — you must also count miles driven while online before accepting a ride and miles driven between rides.
Deducting parking tickets — traffic violations and fines are not deductible even if incurred during a Lyft shift.
Not separating Lyft income from other gig income on your Schedule C — keep income and deductions for each platform organized separately.
Forgetting about Lyft's Power Driver Bonus and referral payments — these are taxable income and should be on your 1099.

Recordkeeping Tips

Download Lyft's annual earnings summary from the Driver Dashboard each January alongside any 1099 issued.
Use a mileage tracking app that runs automatically in the background during every shift.
Keep a monthly log of car wash visits — a simple note in your phone's calendar works.
Store all vehicle maintenance receipts in a single folder (digital or paper) labeled with the vehicle and tax year.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified CPA or tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.