Can I have my LYFT discount applied to file past due taxes for 2021? If yes or no, which one do I choose to file for LYFT?

[apocalypto87]

I'm just trying to have the discount applied if I still can> And I'm also unsure which of the 4 TurboTax programs i need to purchase to file my taxes now

[VolvoGirl]

Don't know about the Discount.  You'll have to contact Turbo Tax for that
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-contact-turbotax/00/26991

What is the Turbo Tax phone number
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

You can buy any of the Desktop programs.   All the Desktop programs have the same forms so you could even buy Deluxe.    You just get more help in the higher versions.

To do a prior year return you have to buy the Desktop program here,
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products
You will need a full Windows or Mac to install it on.

[xmasbaby0]

Online is closed so you cannot start a return for 2021 online now.   You have to use the CD/download.  Any version of the CD/download can be used to prepare the Schedule C you need for the self-employment income you receive from LYFT.   So try Deluxe.

I think the discount was only for online.   You can ask customer support about that.

Online preparation and e-filing for 2019 and 2020 and 2021 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

 If you need to prepare a return for 2019, 2020 or 2021 you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign,  and mail the return(s)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/state-taxes/help/how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue/0... 

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

Note:  The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac.  It cannot be used on a mobile device.

Tax Tips for Uber, Lyft, Sidecar and other Car Sharing Drivers FAQ

 https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Self-Employment-Taxes/Tax-Tips-for-Uber--Lyft--Sideca... 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/how-can-i-apply-my-uber-discount-to-my-turbo...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/account-management/help/why-isn-t-my-lyft-discount-being-applied-t...

DOORDASH, INSTACART, GRUBHUB, ETC.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/self-employment-taxes/filing-taxes-for-on-demand-food-delivery-...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2926899-how-does-my-side-job-affect-my-taxes

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed/help/how-do-i-report-income-from-self-employment/00/...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed/help/what-is-the-self-employment-tax/00/25922

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2902389-why-am-i-paying-self-employment-tax

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901340-where-do-i-enter-schedule-c

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3398950-what-self-employed-expenses-can-i-deduct

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901110-do-i-need-to-make-estimated-tax-payments-to-the-irs

[VolvoGirl]

Oh you should probably get the Home & Business version for you self employment.  Do not get Business that will not do your personal return.   Is this your first time doing self employment?

You need to report all your income even if you don't get a 1099NEC or 1099Misc. You use your own records. You are considered self employed and have to fill out a schedule C for business income. You use your own name, address and ssn or business name and EIN if you have one. You should say you use the Cash Accounting Method and all income is At Risk.

After it asks if you received any 1099NEC it will ask if you had any income not reported on a 1099NEC. You should be keeping your own records. Just go through the interview and answer the questions. Then you will enter your expenses.

Self Employment tax (Scheduled SE) is automatically generated if a person has $400 or more of net profit from self-employment. You pay 15.3% SE tax on 92.35% of your Net Profit greater than $400. The 15.3% self employed SE Tax is to pay both the employer part and employee part of Social Security and Medicare. So you get social security credit for it when you retire. You do get to take off the 50% ER portion of the SE tax as an adjustment on 1040. The SE tax is already included in your tax due or reduced your refund. The SE tax is in addition to your regular income tax on the net profit.

Here is some IRS reading material……
IRS information on Self Employment
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employed-individuals-tax-center

1040 Schedule C Instructions
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sc.pdf

Publication 535 Business Expenses
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p535.pdf

[apocalypto87]

Well I’ve already filled out everything around February. And had an extension. I just forgot about it and the deadline was October 17th. TurboTax has my file for me to download and upload to the program once I purchase it. Just wasn’t sure which program to get and the discount concern. I will wait until tomorrow to ask an agent about the discount and confirm which program is needed. Thank you for your response and information 🙂

[apocalypto87]

Yes I did the filing online and had an extension which ended last month. I will ask an agent to verify 100% what is needed and if the discount is still eligible. Thank you for your response and information as well 🙂

[xmasbaby0]

Oh you already started a 2021 return using online?  Hope you were using Self-Employed.

The online system in now in transition from 2021 returns to 2022 returns.  Your 2021 return may be “frozen” during this transition—until early December.  You will be able to access the return you started by using the exact same account and user ID that you used when you started it.   But you can no longer use online software for any further changes.

Online tax preparation and e-filing for 2021returns is now permanently closed.

Now it is too late to use online software or to e-file. If you have any changes/corrections at all to make to your 2021 return, you now have to complete it using desktop software, which you must download to a full PC or Mac  (not to a mobile device).Then you need to print, sign and mail it.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2559403-how-do-i-finish-a-prior-year-return-that-i-started-in-turb...

If you already paid for your online software you can ask customer support for a download of the desktop software.

They are available from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time Monday-Friday.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number

If you are getting a refund, there is no penalty for filing late.  If you owe tax due, then file and pay the amount due as shown on the Form 1040, but expect a bill later from the IRS for the penalty and interest you will owe.  Only the IRS will calculate this—TurboTax will not calculate it.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

[apocalypto87]

Yes it was self employed and I paid the tax owed to federal. I just had an extension to pay TurboTax to finalize the return. So even if I can’t get the discount I want to make sure I complete the return using the right software. Thanks again.

[Critter-3]

To get the online LYFT discount you had to log in thru the link on the LYFT site and complete the online filing prior to 10/15/22.  Now all you can do is pay for the Deluxe download (Basic if you don't need a state return) to complete the 2021 return that will also need to be paper filed.