If I drive 40 miles with uber before I get a ride request are those miles tax deductible?

[therock40359]

I have a question about deductible miles on Uber.  I turn on my app soon as I get in my car because I never know if I'll get a request.  I always drive to Florence, ky.  Which is 40 miles from home.  I've never got a request yet for those 40 miles.  Also Uber is my second job for weekends or when I'm off work.  Are those 40 miles deductible even if I don't receive a ride request?

[Texas Roger]

You might find this article interesting. I can't verify that it is accurate: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://therideshareguy.com/what-to-do-with-all-the-extra-miles-from-driving-for-uber-and-lyft/">http...>

[SweetieJean · Accepted solution]

Yes, the IRS lets you deduct the miles driving around looking for riders. You are still conducting business when you are looking for fares. The only 'dead miles' are personal use miles.

[TaxGuyBill]

So one 'key' is this:  Why are you driving to Florence, KY?  Are you doing it for Uber?  Or are you driving there for a personal reason?

Another factor could be if your home is your "Principal Place of Business" or not.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p587/ar02.html#en_US_2016_publink1000226302">https://www.irs.gov/pu...>

[therock40359]

I drive to florence because it's busy area where I get a lot of requests.  I don't really have a place of business.  I just recently found out I could deduct the miles.  I always drive around instead of sitting in one spot while waiting for a request.  Sometimes I drive 10-20 miles waiting on a rider.  Besides driving from my house to florence

[SweetieJean]

IS KY a different state from your home state?  Be careful...you may have to pay state taxes there.

[SweetieJean]

@TaxGuyBill  I wonder if this is "commuting," and thus not deductible?  Also, I don't remember the Florence , KY info being in the question when Iporiginally answered it.

[therock40359]

I do live in Kentucky.  But it's so close to Ohio I'm always picking and dropping off riders in both states.  And what does dead miles mean?

[SweetieJean]

Uber drivers call that time without fares "dead miles." Drivers may spend that time roaming around waiting for their next request from the Uber app. Or they may drive from a low-density area where they dropped off their last passenger back to a high-density area where they are more likely to find a new passenger.

[therock40359]

So in other words I can only count the miles to pick up and drop off. And not the miles I'm waiting for a request?

[SweetieJean]

As I said above, the IRS lets you deduct the miles driving around looking for riders. You are still conducting business when you are looking for fares. The only true 'dead miles' are personal use miles (like going to lunch or running personal  errands).  But be reasonable. Don't drive cross country to look for fares!

[therock40359]

O.  My miles driven each day are more than what I make or just about the same.

[SweetieJean]

Let me clarify:  Driving "around" looking for fares is different than always going to the same place to start your Uber "shift.. The latter could be construed as commuting, which is not deductible.

[therock40359]

Ok so I'll just start adding the miles soon as my first request hits

[fanfare]

Are you making good money as an UBER driver ?