As we approach tax season, many Uber drivers and gig workers are beginning to think about how to file their taxes and whether they can get any discounts or special offers on tax filing services. If you’re an Uber driver, you might be in luck: TurboTax, one of the most popular tax preparation platforms, is offering several discounts that can help you save big on your tax filing. Whether you’re an experienced driver or just getting started, these deals can make tax filing a lot easier and more affordable.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the top TurboTax discounts available in January 2025, how Uber drivers can take advantage of them, and some important tips for minimizing your tax bill. We’ll also dive into how you can make sure you’re claiming every deduction you’re entitled to, and why TurboTax’s tools can be especially helpful for self-employed individuals, like Uber drivers.
1. Extra 10% Off TurboTax Online Federal Products: Up to 50% Savings!
One of the top deals this month for anyone filing their taxes with TurboTax is their extra 10% off federal online products, which are already discounted as part of their early-season sale. This discount can bring your total savings up to 50% off your TurboTax plan, depending on the plan you choose. This offer is valid through January 31, 2025, which means you have time to start preparing your taxes early and save money on your filing.
Breakdown of Available TurboTax Service Tiers
TurboTax offers a variety of services, and the discount applies across all of them. Here’s a look at your options:
- Do-It-Yourself Versions: If you feel comfortable filing your taxes on your own, TurboTax’s DIY versions are a great choice. These versions guide you through the tax process with an easy-to-use interface, offering tips along the way to ensure you file correctly.
- Live Assisted Versions: If you want occasional help from tax experts while doing the work yourself, TurboTax’s Live Assisted versions provide access to tax professionals who can answer questions and offer advice as you go through the filing process.
- Full Service Versions: For those who prefer to hand off their entire tax filing to a professional, TurboTax’s Full Service options let you upload your documents, and TurboTax will assign a tax expert to handle everything for you.
This discount allows Uber drivers to choose the service level that fits their needs and budget. Whether you need some help from experts or prefer to handle things on your own, you’ll be able to take advantage of these savings. Just remember to act before January 31, 2025 to get the best deal.
2. 50% Off QuickBooks Solopreneur (with Live Assisted Tax)
If you’re an Uber driver who’s also managing a small business or freelance work, this deal might be particularly relevant. TurboTax’s partnership with QuickBooks is offering 50% off the first three months of their QuickBooks Solopreneur plan. Normally, this plan costs $20/month, but you can get it for just $10/month for the first three months.
The QuickBooks Solopreneur plan comes with a feature called Live Assisted Tax, which is great for self-employed individuals who file a Schedule C with their tax return. The benefits of using this plan include:
- Unlimited Access to Tax Experts: QuickBooks offers access to tax professionals who can help you maximize your deductions and ensure your taxes are accurate. This can be particularly useful for Uber drivers, who may have complex tax situations involving vehicle deductions, mileage, and other business expenses.
- Integration with QuickBooks: QuickBooks integrates with TurboTax to help streamline the process. Your financial data from QuickBooks is automatically available for tax filing, which means you won’t have to manually input a lot of information.
- Industry-Specific Advice: As an Uber driver, there are certain deductions that may be specific to your industry. QuickBooks tax experts can guide you in finding all the deductions you’re entitled to, which can save you money in the long run.
- Audit Support: QuickBooks also offers on-demand audit support, so if you’re ever audited, you can get one-on-one guidance to help you through the process.
This deal is only available to new QuickBooks customers, so if you’ve been thinking about using QuickBooks to help with your business bookkeeping and tax filing, now is the time to sign up and take advantage of these savings.
3. TurboTax Free Edition: File Your Taxes for Free
If your tax situation is relatively simple, you may be able to file for free using TurboTax’s Free Edition. This edition allows you to file both your federal and state taxes without paying any fees, making it a great option for those with straightforward returns. Here’s what qualifies as a simple return:
- Basic Form 1040: If you’re just filing a simple tax return with no complex income sources or deductions, this is the version you’ll likely want to use.
- Limited Credits: If you’re eligible for basic credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, or Student Loan Interest Deduction, the Free Edition will be able to handle these as well.
- No Additional Schedules: If you don’t have other forms or tax situations, such as rental income, self-employment income, or business deductions, the Free Edition is perfect for you.
However, keep in mind that only about 37% of taxpayers will qualify for the Free Edition. If your taxes involve business income (such as being an Uber driver), significant investment income, or other complex issues, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid version of TurboTax.
4. Special TurboTax Discounts for Uber Drivers
As an Uber driver, you are considered self-employed, and you may be eligible for special discounts on TurboTax software. Uber offers exclusive savings to drivers through its Driver Dashboard or the Uber Pro Hub in the Uber Driver app. Depending on your Uber Pro status, you can save up to 50% on TurboTax’s Self-Employed Premium products.
Here’s a breakdown of the savings based on your Uber Pro status:
- Diamond drivers get 50% off TurboTax Self-Employed Premium.
- All drivers get 25% off TurboTax Premium Federal Edition and TurboTax Live Assisted Premium Federal Edition.
This deal is especially beneficial because the Self-Employed Premium version of TurboTax includes tools that are tailored to rideshare drivers. It will help you identify and claim all of the deductions specific to your industry, like mileage, vehicle expenses, and business costs related to your Uber work.
How to Get Your Uber Driver TurboTax Discount
Getting the TurboTax discount as an Uber driver is easy. Follow these steps:
- Log into your Uber driver account.
- Click on Tax Information from the top navigation menu.
- Select Start for Free next to the TurboTax logo to begin.
- Your discount will be automatically applied at checkout.
If you encounter any issues, you can also visit the TurboTax page through your Uber account or use the Uber TurboTax link to claim your savings. There’s no need to enter any special codes—just follow the steps in your driver account.
Can Uber Drivers Get TurboTax for Free?
In some cases, Uber drivers might qualify for free access to TurboTax’s Premium edition. This can happen if Uber is offering promotions through your driver account or if you’re a new driver. To check if you’re eligible for this, simply log in to your Uber account at partners.uber.com and look for the TurboTax link.
The Self-Employed Premium edition is the best option for Uber drivers, as it includes special features that help self-employed individuals maximize deductions and file accurately. If you’re an Uber driver, using this version will help ensure that you don’t miss any important tax breaks related to your driving business.
5. Other Ways Uber Drivers Can Save on TurboTax
In addition to the Uber-specific TurboTax discount, there are other ways Uber drivers can save on their tax filing. For example, many banks and financial institutions offer TurboTax discounts to their customers. You may also find savings through organizations like AAA and AARP, which sometimes offer TurboTax discounts on their websites.
Additionally, if you’re a college student or a military member, you may qualify for special discounts, including free filing or other promotions. These discounts are worth looking into if they apply to your situation.
6. Tax Deductions for Uber Drivers
As an Uber driver, you may have several business-related expenses that can reduce your taxable income. Here are some common deductions that drivers can claim:
- Vehicle Expenses: You can choose between two methods to calculate your vehicle-related deductions: the Standard Mileage Rate or the Actual Expenses Method.
- Standard Mileage Rate: This is the simpler method, where you track the miles you drive for Uber. For 2024, the IRS standard mileage rate is 67 cents per mile. You multiply your business miles by this rate to determine your deduction.
- Actual Expenses Method: This method requires you to track all your vehicle-related costs, including gasoline, insurance, repairs, and depreciation. If your vehicle expenses are high, this method may give you a larger deduction.
- Other Business Expenses: You can also deduct other business-related expenses, such as:
- Phone bills: If you use your phone for Uber-related activities, the business portion of your phone bill is deductible.
- Tolls and Parking Fees: Any tolls or parking fees you pay while driving for Uber can be deducted.
- Snacks and Amenities: If you provide bottled water or snacks for your passengers, those are deductible.
TurboTax’s software can help you identify these deductions and maximize your savings. If you’re using TurboTax Live Assisted or Full Service, you’ll have access to tax experts who can guide you through these deductions and ensure you’re filing correctly.
Conclusion
TurboTax offers several great discounts in January 2025, especially for Uber drivers. Whether you’re looking for a DIY filing option, need some help from tax experts, or want to hand off your entire filing process to professionals, there’s an option that can save you money. By taking advantage of these deals and maximizing your deductions, you can make tax season a lot less stressful and keep more of your hard-earned money. Make sure to check out all the available discounts, especially the 50% off QuickBooks Solopreneur plan and exclusive Uber driver discounts, and get started on your taxes today.