Can I write off car maintenance for Uber Eats?

Can You Write Off Car Maintenance for Uber Eats?

As an Uber Eats driver, you may wonder if you can deduct car maintenance expenses from your taxes. The answer is yes, you can deduct necessary vehicle maintenance costs as a business expense. This is because the IRS considers vehicle maintenance to be an ordinary and necessary expense for businesses.

Qualifying Expenses

Qualifying car maintenance expenses include:

• Oil changes
• Tire rotations
• Brake pads
• Spark plugs
• Wiper blades
• Battery replacement
• Engine repairs
• Transmission repairs
• Body repairs

Deduction Methods

There are two methods for deducting car maintenance expenses:

1. Mileage Tracking

With mileage tracking, you deduct a flat rate per mile driven for business purposes. The current IRS mileage rate is 65.5 cents per mile. If you drive 10,000 miles for Uber Eats in a year, you can deduct $6,550 in car expenses.

2. Vehicle-Related Expenses

With the vehicle-related expenses method, you itemize your actual car expenses, including maintenance, gas, insurance, and depreciation. This method is typically more beneficial if you have a high mileage vehicle or incur significant maintenance costs.

Record Keeping

It is important to keep accurate records of your car maintenance expenses. This can include receipts, invoices, and mileage logs. The IRS may request these records as proof of your deductions.

Conclusion

Yes, you can write off car maintenance for Uber Eats as a business expense. By deducting these expenses, you can reduce your taxable income and save money on taxes. Be sure to keep accurate records of your expenses and choose the deduction method that is most beneficial for your situation.