Im self employed working for Instacart. I start the app in the morning and start looking for a job (which usually takes 30-60 mins as my area is oversaturated with shoppers currently) If nothing comes up, i drive around a bit as changing location helps. While driving around, i drop my kid at daycare. So at what point should i start the mile tracker app to record my business miles?
In the afternoon, i do the same. I finish an order, than i start driving around, if nothing comes up until its time to pick kid up from daycare, i pick him up, but i still keep app open, if anything comes in after picking him up, i just take him with me to shop and than we go home.
Another quiestion: i didnt track my miles for the first 2 months i was working as i didnt know its tax deductible. So cant deduct anything from that..But i bought a new iphone right after starting this job as with my old phone i couldnt do this job as it was so slow, i couldnt get any orders (you need fast phone to be able to get batches in an oversaturated area). Can i deduct the purchase of the phone? I use the phone all day while working and than i come home to sleep so dont really use it after work.
***I work as a licensed Realtor on the days i dont do the Instacart. Work from home, self employed, no dedicated office space other than a desk. I bought an ipad mini and pay for mobile data for it as i need to show customers photos of properties/documents etc during showings. Is the ipad purchase and monthly data deductible? How about mileage from my home to showing a house and back home? (If i only show one property) ***
Thank you in advance
