Do you enjoy taking passengers on longer rides? Do you like travelling from town to town in your region? Uber has a new service will let you end the constant start-and-stop, gas-and-brake routine of city and suburban driving and start making big money driving down the highway. There’s lots to like about Uber Intercity.

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What is Uber Intercity?

Passengers who need to go from one city to another by car like having a driver all to themselves. Maybe it was the atmosphere of the COVID-era that made people less interested in taking buses and trains to neighboring cities. Or a reluctance to do their own driving and avoid paying for city parking might make it more appealing for passengers to get an Uber driver to take them from one urban area to another.

Uber Intercity is a way to cater to these customers. With this feature, passengers book rides that get them where they’re going in safety and comfort, and as quickly as traffic patterns will allow.

Drivers everywhere love this idea because longer trips pay more and take less effort than regular rides. However, at least for now, Uber Intercity is available only for trips between certain cities in select locations.

US options include trips between:

• Los Angeles and Orange County
• Los Angeles and Palm Springs
• Los Angeles and Inland Empire
• Orlando and Central Atlantic Coast, FL

Canadian drivers can make trips between these locations:

• Toronto and Hamilton
• Toronto and Kitchener Waterloo
• Toronto and Niagara
• Toronto and London (Ontario)
• Kitchener Waterloo and Hamilton
• Niagara and Hamilton
• Vancouver suburbs and downtown Vancouver

What does Uber Intercity offer drivers?

Uber Intercity is a sweet deal for passengers, but what is Uber Intercity for drivers like? Turns out that there are lots of advantages. Long trips mean not as many passenger personalities to manage with conversations of greater depth and quality with the riders you do take onboard. You can also expect:

Increased earnings

• Longer trips yield higher earnings per trip.
• Out-of-town surcharges are added to driver earnings on most intercity trips.
• Passengers tip better after spending more time with you.
• Promotions apply to intercity trips.
• You are free to drive in the destination city after discharging your passenger(s).
• You will be prioritized for a return trip to your city of origin.

Improved driver experience

• Enjoy a break from urban traffic jams.
• Get better gas mileage due to more highway driving.
• Experience driving in different cities.
• Determine if a trip is worth your time and energy with up-front pricing.

How does Uber Intercity work?

If you want to take these long rides, and Uber Intercity is available in your area, you can opt in to accepting rides by going to your Preferences setting in the app. Switch on INTERCITY, and you’ll start getting requests for Uber Intercity rides. You can choose to accept or reject them based on the information on the trip card.

If you decide to accept a trip, keep in mind that Uber won’t guarantee you a return passenger. But, as we said earlier, you can either drive around in the new city, or allow the app to prioritize you for a return ride.

Uber Intercity isn’t for everyone, and even if you use it, there are times when you’ll want to stay close to home. Let’s say you have to go offline at a certain time, or you’re tired and don’t want to be out much longer. Or if a lot of profitable short rides are popping up in your area, you might want to keep driving right where you are. In these cases a trip to another city won’t be on your agenda. 

If the app has you pegged as an Intercity Uber, meaning to send you to another city, and you don’t want to leave your area, you can decline the ride and change your settings by deselecting INTERCITY. You would also naturally do this when you’re ready to finish the Uber Intercity portion of your shift.

How can drivers make the most of all their trips and other gigs?

The short answer is, use Gridwise! Gridwise is the app every gig worker needs to boost earnings and organize a gig-centric business.

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Track your tax deductible mileage, get discounts, deals, weather, traffic, and event updates, plus

• earnings tracking
• expense recording and reporting
• graphs to compare what you’re earning for all your gigs
• insights into where and when to drive for best earnings
• access to no- and low-cost healthcare and insurance

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More about bigger earnings with Uber

• Make $1000 a week driving for Uber
• Deliver for Uber Eats and make $1000 per week
• The best times to drive for Uber
• Time your Uber Eats deliveries to make more money

Looking for a side hustle that’s totally flexible, easy, and pays well too? Taskrabbit could be your dream gig platform. Everybody has errands and odd jobs they either can’t or don’t want to do themselves. When you become a “Tasker” with TaskRabbit, you get to earn money while you make other people’s lives easier.

At Gridwise, we’re always on the lookout for ways to help gig workers make informed choices about which side hustles will fit them best. Knowing what matters most to gig workers allows us to answer any questions you have, and address concerns you might not have thought of yet.

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How does TaskRabbit work?

TaskRabbit is a platform that matches customers looking for workers to do different jobs with people like you, who get paid for doing them. You might be able to offer your work and time to people without using an app like this one, but TaskRabbit makes it far easier to find clients and manage customers. 

Customers know that TaskRabbit has cleared you and that hiring you gives them a safe and reliable option. You also can be assured that customers are trustworthy and are highly likely to pay you what they owe. 

What’s it like to work for TaskRabbit?

Working for TaskRabbit is easy because you’re in control of when and how much you work, the kinds of jobs you’re willing to do, and how much you want to get paid. You choose whether to pursue your TaskRabbit gig full time or to use it as a side hustle. 

TaskRabbit strives to maintain a safe, secure community that’s built on mutual trust. The rights and responsibilities of clients, as well as Taskers, are clearly defined by the company and agreed upon by all concerned parties. There are also procedures in place to address issues and concerns, should they arise. This reduces the amount of time you have to deal with customer problems—and erases the stress that comes with them.

Benefits of being a TaskRabbit worker

The biggest advantage of this or any side hustle is the fact that you can be your own boss. You’ll get to do things you like, and you can choose your own working hours. Of course, that means you’ll have to motivate yourself! TaskRabbit makes that easier by offering

• a wide variety of jobs and services—get paid for doing things you like.
• an established customer base—no marketing needed.
• interfacing with customers to ensure that you get paid—not having to chase down your cash.
• the ability to set your own rates—know what you’ll be paid!
• the opportunity to expand your business—getting more customers only helps your business to grow.

What kinds of jobs are available?

TaskRabbit has a pretty impressive variety of jobs for Taskers to do. You can also work in as many categories as you like, provided you have the skills needed. Whether you’re a hands-on craftsperson or an administrative type, TaskRabbit needs you.

• personal assistant, project coordinator, and organizer
• flooring and tiling help
• moving—full service and light packing
• furniture assembly
• heavy lifting and loading
• indoor and outdoor painting
• interior design
• landscaping help, yard work, and snow removal
• laundry and ironing
• light carpentry
• minor home repairs
• appliance installation and repairs
• pet sitting
• plumbing help
• sewing
• smart-home installation

Job categories might vary, based on where you live. As this complete list of categories shows, there are enough available job options to keep Taskers pretty busy!

How much and how will I get paid?

How much you get paid is largely up to you. As we said before, you get to set the rate that you’re willing to accept for your services, and how much you will work. 

According to Glassdoor, the average Tasker earns around $17–$27 per hour, but the exact amount you make will depend on the task and the rate you charge, as well as where you live.. Big jobs such as furniture assembly, handyman services, and moving will pay more than yard work or sewing.

Once you complete the job, you invoice the customer. Everything that has to do with your payment is taken care of through the app.

Provide TaskRabbit with your direct deposit information when you sign up, and they send the payment, including tips, to your bank account. Taskers receive 100% of the amount they charge customers. TaskRabbit collects its fee as a percentage of the cost of the task(s) performed, and it is charged to the customer, over and above what they pay the Tasker.

Basics you need to know

By now you might be ready to ask, “How do I sign up to work for TaskRabbit?” but before you do, you’ll need some more information.

Just like with any side hustle, you work as an independent contractor with TaskRabbit. That means you are not an employee, and you don’t get company benefits from TaskRabbit. As a result, you’ll have a few responsibilities, such as

• building your reputation on TaskRabbit by getting good customer reviews
• developing a winning strategy for maximizing your earnings on TaskRabbit
• estimating and paying your own taxes
• tracking your mileage, earnings, and expenses
• securing your own healthcare and insurance programs

If this sounds like a lot, you’re right. There are many things you have to do as an independent contractor in order to manage your business. Fortunately, there is help. Gridwise handles all these issues. More about that later. First, let’s get you on board with TaskRabbit.

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How do I sign up to work for TaskRabbit?

Registering with TaskRabbit

Before you sign up with TaskRabbit, make sure you meet the basic requirements:

• live in a city where TaskRabbit is available
• be 18 or more years of age
• clear a background check
• prove your eligibility to work, including a US-issued Social Security number
• have a valid checking account and credit card (to pay the $25 registration fee)
• own a smartphone capable of running the Tasker app

For some tasks, such as minor home repairs and IKEA furniture assembly, you need to develop the skills before you offer to do the job. There is no “on the job training” provided. 

Once you are sure you meet the requirements, download the Tasker app and create your account. The app will take you through the steps to register. You’ll get a chance to set your skills, location, and distance you are willing to  travel, and to verify your information. This is where you will need to pay the $25 registration fee.

The length of time you need to wait to find out if you’ve been accepted on TaskRabbit will vary depending on where you live. Most Taskers are cleared to start work within four business days. 

Tips for setting up your profile

1. Look good. There are a lot of Taskers out there, so you will want your profile to stand out. As superficial as it may sound, a good photo is crucial if you want to attract clients—clients who will want to see your face to get an idea of what you’re like.

2. Communicate clearly. Write your quick pitch in plain language. Set your work area and skills to match your willingness to travel and your abilities to do certain tasks.

3. Price yourself right. Pricing is crucial to your success as a Tasker. If you set your price too high, you won’t get as many jobs. If you price your work too low, you’ll feel cheated when you do a job for which you should have been paid more. Check out the competition, see what others are charging for the same or similar tasks, and choose your price based on how your skills compare to theirs, and set it accordingly.

4. Add at least one available time slot for booking tasks. If you don’t have any times listed, clients won’t be notified of your availability. Choose your work times based on the times customers are likely to need your services as well as what is convenient for you.

5. Draw your work area on the map provided in the Tasker app. Include the entire area you are willing to serve, but be aware of factors such as distance, traffic, and general road conditions. You’ll also want to include areas where your tasks will be in demand. For instance, an area where there are mostly renters won’t yield many clients looking for home repairs or exterior painting.

Once you are set up, give TaskRabbit about two working days to verify your profile and make it visible to the public.

Finding and accepting tasks

The Tasker app is very convenient to use. When a client wants to hire you to complete a task, you’ll receive a task invitation on the app. You then reply to it, and either accept or decline it. 

You can also use the app to schedule availability, reset your map, send invoices, put your profile on “‘pause,” and more. 

While you have total freedom of choice when it comes to accepting tasks, you should be aware that there are advantages to accepting and invoicing more of them.

TaskRabbit has an Elite Tasker program, which gives certain Taskers the privilege of being highlighted on the customer-side of the app. They also receive perks such as membership in the Elite Tasker Discord Group, an Elite badge on their profiles, one-on-one calls to discuss their business, and additional opportunities to provide feedback to TaskRabbit. 

In most cities, Taskers reach Elite status by invoicing at least 10 tasks per month, invoice at least 50 tasks total in a particular category, place within the top 15% of Taskers for invitations to invoices ratio, and avoid any violations of TaskRabbit’s terms of service. 

But, in certain cities, the requirements are more stringent. In addition to the above qualifications, Taskers must have gathered at least 200 total tasks under their belts from the time they joined the platform.

How to work for TaskRabbit and manage all your side hustles

The freedom, flexibility, and income potential that being a gig worker gives you are good reasons for working with TaskRabbit and other gig apps. But, as we noted earlier, you also have to be prepared to manage your business when doing gig work. In order to do this, you’ll need to know exactly how much you’re earning, and keep very close tabs on your potential tax deductions. You’ll also want to get your own healthcare and other insurance needs taken care of.

Gridwise is designed with a thorough understanding of what it takes to run side hustles, Gridwise gives you the support and opportunities that make it much easier to thrive as an independent contractor.

Track mileage

The mileage tracking feature of the Gridwise app is tailored to your needs. Rather than merely counting all the miles you drive, Gridwise allows you to turn the tracker on and off with ease, so you’re in control of accounting for deductible mileage.

Turn the tracker on when you’re going to a gig or shopping for materials, then turn it off when you end your work day. Gridwise Plus will allow you to automatically track your miles, turning the tracker on when you move your vehicle, and off when you stop for a period of time that you determine. And you can even enter and correct your mileage figures manually.

Track earnings and expenses

With Gridwise in your pocket you can track all your earnings and expenses, so you never have to worry about poring over piles of paper when tax time arrives. Gridwise automatically generates reports that give you the opportunity to view the financial health of your business at a glance.

Get gig worker benefits and perks

Gridwise provides so many of the services and conveniences you need to support TaskRabbit and all your side hustles. From price breaks on gas, and discounts on car maintenance, to low and no-cost insurance plans, Gridwise Benefits ties up all your benefits and perks into a neat package. Gridwise Plus members get deeper discounts and even more free perks.

Here are just some of the benefits offered by Gridwise:

• phone protection
• car insurance marketplace
• identity theft protection
• discounts on Keeper Tax
• alternative medicine and chiropractic benefits
• telehealth
• credit help
• housing counseling
• access to legal help benefits

The advantages of Gridwise let working for a side hustle like TaskRabbit provide you with the support you need as well as maximizing the money you make. See what it’s like to use an app designed specifically for gig workers like you.

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More about great side gigs

• Unlock your earning potential
• Make $1000 a week with Uber Eats
• Become a scooter juicer
• Make $1000 a week with Walmart Spark

Whether you’re already a Walmart Spark Driver or you’re weighing adding a Spark gig to your side hustle repertoire, you need to learn more about the Spark Driver Rewards Program. Why is this so important?

Among the challenges of being a gig worker is not getting all the benefits of a full-time W-2 job. Gig workers must find ways to get medical benefits, dental coverage, life insurance, and other personal perks. There are many great things about being a gig worker; one is the fantastic array of advantages and discounts you get with extras, such as the Spark Driver Rewards Program. If you are looking for more information on how to earn more with Walmart Spark, take a look at this post too.

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What is the Spark Driver Rewards Program?

Most gig apps offer workers perks and privileges based on performance. Incentive-based rewards programs benefit gig workers as much as the companies they work for. When Walmart Spark drivers make more trips, the company’s customers get faster service. And the more trips drivers make, the more perks, benefits, and privileges they receive. 

Rewards programs are a good reason to keep loving gig work. They offer a win-win situation for both parties. But what you get from various rewards programs depends on many different factors. The Spark Driver Rewards Program, as far as we at Gridwise are concerned, is a rather impressive one.

What benefits can a Walmart Spark driver expect? 

The Spark Driver Rewards Program recognizes drivers by offering all kinds of benefits. There are two tiers of membership. A Walmart Spark driver can qualify for Tier 1 benefits simply by being in good standing.

Tier 1 Spark drivers receive:

1. Access to the One Financial App. This mobile banking app gives you access to services from Coastal Community Bank. With the One app, you get instant access to your earnings and can set up financial tools that make earning, spending, and saving your money a snap!

2. Keeper Tax Filing and Expense Tracking Discount. Keeper Tax makes tracking expenses and filing taxes a total no-brainer. This powerful app will even search your expenses to make sure you’ve picked up every possible deduction. Walmart Spark drivers get a discount of up to 65%.

To get the extra perks offered at Tier 2, drivers must complete at least 20 deliveries in a calendar month and maintain a “green” customer rating in the Spark Driver app. 

Tier 2 Spark drivers get these added benefits:

3. Cheaper Wireless Plans. Who doesn’t want a break when it comes to paying for your cell service needs? With Spark Driver Rewards, discounts from major carriers include

• a $10 per month discount from AT&T
• unlimited data from T-Mobile
• $35 unlimited data, talk, text, and hotspot from Verizon

4. Driver Technologies Dashcam and Telematics App: Turn your phone into a dashcam with this cutting-edge app. The Walmart Spark Rewards Program gives you six months on the Driver Premium Plan, plus a cool phone mount, all for $19.99!

5. FREE Walmart+ Membership. This is every Spark Driver’s favorite perk. Valued at $98 per year or $12.95 per month, Walmart+ membership showers you with discounts and benefits such as

• free shipping
• discounts on gas
• huge price cuts on prescriptions
• Paramount+ subscription
• early-bird notice on Walmart deals
• free returns

These qualifications must be met each month for the benefits to continue. For example, if you’re on Tier 2 in October, but don’t make the 20 trips to qualify for November, you won’t get your benefits that month. The good news is, if you make 20 trips in November, you’ll be right back on Tier 2 again by the time the holiday shopping season rolls around, and all those great benefits will be restored.

Each month, if you qualify for Tier 2 benefits, an email will arrive announcing your eligibility. If you believe you’ve earned Tier 2 benefits, but don’t get an email, contact support to stake your claim. Walmart Spark offers great opportunities to earn more, we outline how you could earn $1000 per week with them here.

Keep benefits even when you don’t make Tier 2

Want to make sure you’re getting tons of gig worker benefits, even if you don’t make it to Spark’s Tier 2 in a given month? Use Gridwise, and you’ll receive plenty of perks, deals, and discounts. While we can’t give you Walmart+, you might be able to afford it easily, thanks to the ways Gridwise boosts your earnings.

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With Gridwise, you’re guaranteed to get

• our free mileage tracker, plus weather, event, and airport alerts
• earnings and expense reporting
• deals and discounts, including low-cost wireless plans and 30% off Keeper Tax
• insights into when and where to drive to make the most money
• access to insurance, healthcare, and other benefits 1099 workers need

Gridwise’s easy-to-read screens place all the data and information you need at your fingertips.

Is the Spark Driver Rewards Program worth it?

Your driving habits, how much time you have for Spark, and whether you’re a regular Walmart shopper will combine to determine what the Spark Rewards Program is worth to you. This video from Rolling with Renia lays down the pros and cons in plain and honest language.

https://youtu.be/DSzo7G682KU?si=FNYMHv0q82lxb1xr

If you can consistently keep delivering 20 trips or more each month, and keep that “green” customer record Renia speaks to, there’s no doubt that the free Walmart+ membership alone is worth working toward. Go on and make the Spark Driver Rewards Program your cash cow!

But if you’re very part-time in your approach to Spark driving, or you work a bunch of different gigs and don’t have time to make the full quota of 20 trips, you may just want to let the Spark Driver Rewards Program mosey on by.

And if you opt-out or don’t make Tier 2, lucky for you, there’s always Gridwise!

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Make more with all your gigs:

• Get the best mileage tracker
• How to sign up to be a Spark driver
• Earn $1000 per week with Walmart Spaark
• How do Doordash incentives work?
• Be in the know about Uber Pro
• Apps that keep you rolling

Objective mobility and food delivery data will play a pivotal role in the continuing struggle between equitable gig driver pay and the need for gig platforms to make a profit. Caught in the middle of this tug-of-war are the passengers and food delivery consumers who pay for these services and have come to rely upon them, as well as the cities and other jurisdictions trying to establish equitable laws that are fair to all participants. 

There is no better example of this than the current situation in Seattle, WA. In 2020, Seattle implemented an ordinance known as Fair Share, establishing minimum compensation for rideshare drivers. In 2022, they followed up with another ordinance known as PayUp, which addressed food delivery drivers and took effect in January 2024.  

While the measures were well intended, the results don’t please everyone, and many point out flaws in the legislation. It’s not just about how much Uber Eats drivers make in Seattle. The universe of gig drivers, gig platforms, policy decision-makers, and even Seattle restaurants are struggling for clarity and leadership.  

This is where Gridwise Analytics prevails. We have real-time, ground truth data.  

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The gig driving landscape in Seattle

The tension between gig drivers and the gig platforms in Seattle resembles many large cities, with disagreements between platforms and drivers about fair compensation. Added to this, however, is a city government that is concerned about workers’ rights and equity in the workplace. According to TheStreet, a personal finance blog, Seattle has a minimum wage of $19.97 an hour, the highest in any major US city. 

The Fare Share Law

In 2018 and 2019, Seattle saw increasing pressure from rideshare drivers who were concerned about low pay and unfair deactivations. The City Council unanimously passed Fare Share in 2020. Provisions of the ordinance mandated that drivers receive compensation of at least $0.57 per minute, $1.33 per mile, and a minimum of $5.00 a trip. There were also requirements for sick pay and protections against unfair deactivations. 

To offset increased costs in the wake of Fare Share, Uber raised prices by 24%, reported Pymnts.com. 

Interestingly, the ordinance was implemented simultaneously with the COVID-19 lockdown, making it difficult to determine how it affected the rideshare business. What is clear from the graph developed by Uber for a piece in The Medium is that the Seattle rideshare business, like rideshare across the US, cratered at the beginning of the pandemic. Rideshare in Seattle, however, has recovered at a slower pace than the national average and has yet to reach pre-pandemic levels.

Source: Uber Under The Hood, Medium

The PayUp Law

The initial version of PayUp passed in 2022. As reported in the Seattle Times, the ordinance required gig platforms to compensate Seattle food delivery drivers at $0.44 a minute with a minimum per-mile amount of $0.74 while making a delivery or a minimum of $5 per order. The law applied equally to grocery delivery. Before the law took effect (but after it had passed), Shipt, the number two company in the grocery delivery market, suspended operations in Seattle with no comment on the reasons for the action. 

Uber Eats and DoorDash added a $5 surcharge to Seattle orders, which they stated was necessary to maintain profit margins. They also warned that this would decrease order volume and driver income. DoorDash also responded by adjusting the suggested amount for tips in each order. 

The following chart supplied by UberEats shows the aftermath of PayUp, with orders dropping almost 30%, starting when the law went into effect (signified by the vertical dashed line in early January 2024). 

Source: Uber Under The Hood, Medium

Restaurants feel the effects of PayUp

Seattle restaurants are experiencing a drop in delivery business in the wake of PayUp, reports Geekwire. Uttam Mukherjee, co-owner of Indian street food restaurant Spice Waala, revealed that his restaurant experienced a 30% year-over-year decline in app-delivery orders this past January. In late February 2024, Uber Eats also reported a 30% decrease in food delivery orders. 

Drivers are also feeling the effects of PayUp. The Geekwire article points out that although drivers make more per trip, the trip reduction means a lower net pay. 

Carmen Figueroa, a veteran food delivery driver in Seattle and supporter of PayUp, told Geekwire, “I’m not making any more money.” She added that she’s getting fewer orders. Food delivery drivers all over Seattle report more pay-per-order but significantly fewer orders. 

Drivers and allies call foul on price increases

Drivers and organizations allied with the drivers point to the $5 surcharge as part of a strategy the food delivery platforms use to prove that PayUp is a bad idea. As reported in another GeekWire article, nonprofit Working Washington, a previous PayUp supporter, said, “The new fees instituted by the delivery companies are a ‘clear attempt to distract from the fact that their business model is built on paying workers almost nothing while their CEOs and shareholders make millions.’”

Complicating matters even more, this past January, Uber released its earnings statement for 2023, revealing that for the first time, the company made a profit of $1.8 billion. 

How can Gridwise Analytics data help solve the problem?

Developing a solution that is just and equitable to the gig platforms and drivers who make those platforms possible requires a clear picture of what is happening in the Seattle food delivery and rideshare market. Uber Eats, DoorDash, and the other gig platforms can and do provide data but often deny requests to look deeper into the information, citing proprietary concerns. 

This leaves everyone with a clear need for accurate information so that legislation can reflect data-driven decisions. 

Gridwise Analytics provides ground truth data on rideshare, food delivery, and grocery delivery activity. More than 500,000 drivers around the US, including in Seattle, use the Gridwise app to coordinate their gig driving activities by synching their gig platforms to the app. Gridwise Analytics anonymizes and aggregates the information from these drivers, turning it into raw data. 

Gridwise Analytics can produce activity reports for specific dates and times, indicating increases and decreases in platform activity and driver earnings. It can also provide macro views of activity over a vast region and micro views of small market areas. 

Precise, verifiable data from Gridwise means that all parties work from the same facts.

Gridwise provides comprehensive data on mobility and delivery services across the U.S., including food and grocery delivery. Data from Gridwise Analytics correlates up to 98% against quarterly metrics reported by the individual platforms.

Types of mobility and food delivery data from Gridwise Analytics 

Comparing platforms

Gridwise Analytics can also compare order activity across various platforms for the same period, allowing decision-makers to see if policies affect all platforms similarly. 

Gridwise Analytics can also view activity across platforms, allowing decision-makers to see if policies intended for one type of service, such as rideshare, affect food and grocery delivery. 

In this case, the start of the PayUp Law is marked with a vertical black bar, giving viewers a clearer picture of its impact on activity before and after. 

Driver earnings

DoorDash data can show how driver earnings break down over time, indicating how legislation and other factors affect base pay, bonus pay, incentives, and tips. Note again the vertical bar, indicating when PayUp went into effect. 

How can this data be used? 

Objective mobility and food delivery data, often called ground truth information, create a level playing field for all participants. As municipalities and other jurisdictions look to develop equitable regulations, they can use this data to guide their decision-making in several areas:   

• Accuracy verification. By comparing data from individual parties with Gridwise Analytics, the information's accuracy can be verified, and conclusions can be based on factual data.
• Bias detection. News outlets may have certain biases that slant their reporting. Data from Gridwise Analytics provides an objective benchmark to identify and correct any potential biases or angles that the media might be promoting.
• Trend confirmation. Objective data allows all parties to identify food delivery and rideshare market trends. Are orders trending larger? Are they trending smaller? Are travel times getting longer? What areas of the city are generating rides or orders? Decision-makers can confirm or refute conclusions based on this and other data. 
• Comprehensive analysis. Objective data allows for a more in-depth analysis, uncovering nuances and details that might not be evident otherwise.
• Policy impact assessment. It’s crucial to compare reported outcomes of new legislation (like Seattle's PayUp law) with actual data to assess the true impact of legislation on gig workers, gig platforms, and the economy.
• Market understanding. Objective data provides insights into market reactions that other sources may need to capture fully. This deeper understanding can guide strategic decisions for all parties in the gig economy.
• Crisis management. In times of crisis or controversy, the media can sensationalize events. A single comment from one driver becomes a story. Objective data helps all parties maintain a realistic stance. Responses reflect factual information.
• Data-driven decision-making. Objective data reinforces data-driven decision-making, ensuring reliable information guides strategies and actions.
• Trust. By demonstrating a commitment to factual data and transparency, all parties can agree on facts, paving the way toward equitable solutions. 

Unbiased Data for Smarter Decisions

In over a decade, rideshare and food delivery have revolutionized transportation and dining habits, but this change comes with questions and challenges. Objective data is crucial as decision-makers develop solutions. 

With access to Gridwise Analytics, companies gain a comprehensive view of mobility patterns across their competitive landscape. Regulators and researchers can explore pressing issues with robust, unbiased information. Municipal planners obtain insights guiding policies that support thriving gig economies and transportation systems optimized for the future.

Get in contact with our team to discover how Gridwise Analytics can sharpen your transportation and food delivery analytics.

Check out these articles to learn more about Gridwise Analytics:

• Read the Gridwise Annual Gig Mobility Report 
• The Impact of Third-Party Food Delivery on Quick Service Restaurants
• Mobility Data: What Gig Driver Loyalty Reveals to Investors
• Why We Launched Gridwise Analytics

There is a term in business known as “sticky money.” It refers to how much of the money you earn sticks to you as opposed to having to pay it out in expenses and taxes. Some expenses you can control, but as a gig driver, taxes can decimate your earnings. Gig drivers are self-employed. In addition to the taxes on your earnings, there is a self-employment tax. Making matters more complicated, the gig companies don’t deduct these taxes for you. As a gig driver, you must discipline yourself to make those quarterly tax payments.

As a gig driver and a businessperson, one of the first questions you ask yourself, or another gig driver is, “How do I track my business mileage?”

This is easy if you have the wisdom and foresight to use the best business mileage tracking app—-Gridwise. 

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App-based gig work has become common 

Before getting into the need for the best mileage tracking app for business, let’s address our use of the term “business.” An unbelievable number came out of the Pew Research Center back in 2021. Over 16% of US adults have earned money working on gig platforms. That number has likely increased since then, considering that the number came during the pandemic. In light of the Great Resignation, tens of thousands have flocked to gig driving. More are using gig driving to fill gaps in their budget or to fund the “revenge travel” we hear so much about. Their number one reason is the flexibility. Uber alone increased their number of drivers globally by 31% in 2022, according to a report by Business Insider. 

For all these drivers, gig driving is a business. That’s why it’s necessary to treat it like one, including using Gridwise, the best business mileage tracking app. 

The Gridwise business mileage tracking app also works for gigpreneurs, businesspeople who have discovered that they can also earn money on gig apps that don’t involve gig driving. Many gig drivers also work with these apps. They find it breaks the monotony and gives them options in the event of an unfair deactivation or some other issue with their gig driving (see the Gridwise blog post Sudden account deactivations on delivery platforms: What can you do?). These include apps such as Rover (pet care), Taskrabbit (handyman services), and others. 

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Business mileage tracking apps: What's all the fuss?

This past December, the IRS released an updated standard mileage deduction for miles incurred for business driving, with a1.5 cent increase, to 67 cents a mile. Full-time gig drivers can easily put 1,000 miles on their car weekly and 50,000 miles a year. At 67 cents a mile, you can deduct $33,500 miles from your taxable income. This kind of deduction makes a considerable difference for the tax bracket you fall into. 

At the beginning of each year, gig drivers receive a report of their earnings for tax purposes. That report also includes the miles you covered as you earned that money. Most people don’t know that the gig platforms only track your mileage from the time you have received a ride request or food order, through the time you pick up the passenger or food, until you complete the ride or deliver the order. The gig platform apps do not record the time between rides or orders; they don’t track the miles you incur before your first order or ride request; and they don’t log the miles you cover when you go home at the end of your shift. 

All those miles not counted by the gig app platforms are tax deductible. The Gridwise mileage tracker records all those miles. In many cases, that can add tens of thousands of business miles you can deduct. 

Must-have features in an app for tracking business mileage

The question among drivers is, “What is the best app to track mileage for taxes?” The answer—Gridwise. It's the only business mileage tracking app designed for gig drivers by gig drivers. And since Gridwise understands that you're in business for yourself, the Gridwise app was developed to be the best app for tracking mileage for business gigpreneurs. Consider the features of the Gridwise app. 

FeatureWhat it doesWhat you get out of itTracking exact mileageThe Gridwise mileage tracker links to the GPS on your cell phone. You get precise mileage,tracking every mile.  Automatic reminder functionWhen you start to drive, the Gridwise mileage tracker senses movement and reminds you through your cell phone to activate your tracker. No more lost miles because you forgot to write down mileage at the beginning or end of your shift. Doesn’t interfere with other appsThe Gridwise mileage tracker works in the background. Gridwise doesn’t interfere with any gig app platforms you run on your phone, even if you're running two or three apps simultaneously. Easy setupIt takes just minutes to add all your apps to the Gridwise mileage tracker. Even if you multi-app several gig platforms, Gridwise quickly adapts, recording all the information needed to make you a better businessperson. Incorporates an expense trackerTake a photo of every receipt from every business expense related to your gig driving or other gig work, and add a quick description. The Gridwise mileage tracker saves it for tax time. All expenses are at your fingertips. View all your gigs at onceGridwise lets you view all your gigs at once, giving you a complete picture of your gig earnings. You can see trends and determine where your best jobs are coming from. Easily download informationDownload your mileage and expense records from the Gridwise mileage tracker into an easy-to-handle Excel file. Do calculations in minutes to come up with mileage totals. Without Gridwise, this is a daylong job.

The Gridwise mileage app is the best mileage tracking app for businesses. Download it today!

FAQs–taxes and business mileage 

Am I better going with the standard mileage deduction or actual automobile expenses?

The IRS permits two ways of claiming mileage and automobile-related costs: actual expenses or the standard mileage rate. Both methods account for mileage and other auto expenses such as oil changes, tires, and repairs.  

The standard mileage rate is easier. You determine the total miles you drive as part of your gig-driving job and write it off at 67 cents per mile (65.5 cents before January 1, 2024). In almost all cases, gig drivers and other business owners realize more significant savings using the standard mileage rate.

With method number two, deducting expenses only, you save all your receipts for fuel, repairs, and maintenance, and at the end of the year, you add them up. Businesspeople who use this deduction method typically do so in situations where they have less mileage, but drive an expensive car with significant maintenance costs. 

Here’s another little jewel: the IRS allows you to compute your mileage at 67 cents per mile even if you drive an electric car. 

What about claiming my fuel costs?

Your standard mileage rate includes fuel expenses. Claiming the standard mileage rate while at the same time claiming your gas expenses is a quick way to get audited. 

What are the chances of a gig driver getting audited?

Estimates are that between 0.3% and 1% of all returns get audited. Remember, though, you're a self-employed businessperson, which increases your audit prospects. In addition, the gig industry is the newest area for IRS auditors to explore. It’s a bright, shiny thing for them, and they’re still trying to figure out how current IRS policies apply to the gig economy. Don’t take chances. 

What if I didn’t keep a record of my mileage?

If you spent all of 2023 driving rideshare and didn’t keep a mileage log, your best option is to go with the report you received from Lyft or Uber. The same goes for meal and grocery delivery. 

Another option is a technique the IRS calls “sampling.” After several false starts at keeping a mileage log, let's say you start using the Gridwise mileage tracker on October 1. For the year's final quarter, you must keep diligent mileage records. You can then extrapolate that report for the entire year. There is a good chance the IRS will accept that in an audit. Review Publication 463 (2021), Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses, for a full explanation of sampling. Look under Section 5, Recordkeeping. 

Does the IRS require odometer readings as part of a mileage report?

Nothing in IRS policies says your records should include odometer readings. 

The IRS instructs examiners to verify total miles for the year by requiring repair receipts or other records showing mileage at the beginning and end of the year. Take a photo of the odometer on the first and last day of the year and upload it to the Gridwise mileage tracker. That’s solid proof. 

Can you round out your mileage numbers?

Stay away from rounded-off numbers. The IRS finds them a sign of less-than-stellar record keeping. Gridwise provides an accurate mileage reading. The more precise you can be in your information, the better you look in an audit.

The Gridwise mileage app is the best mileage tracking app for businesses. Download it today!

Gridwise provides the best business tools for gig drivers.

If you’re looking for an app for tracking business mileage, look no further than Gridwise. Veteran gig drivers developed the Gridwise mileage tracker specifically for other gig workers. They realized that gig driving was more than a way to make extra money. For many, it's a business, not just a side hustle.

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Check out these Gridwise pages to learn more about the Gridwise mileage tracker:

• Download the Gridwise app for free (includes the Gridwise mileage tracker) 
• Download the Gridwise Annual Gig Mobility Report
• The best mileage tracking app for DoorDash
• The best business mileage tracking app
• The best mileage tracking app for delivery drivers

What counts as gig worker tax deductions? How do mileage deductions work? Why do delivery drivers and other gig workers have to know about the mileage tax deduction? If you have questions like these or think you already have them covered, keep reading. You’ll not only learn why and how to track mileage for taxes, you’ll discover the best app for mileage tracking and how to use it so you keep more of your hard-earned money.

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The power of Gridwise for tax management

Being a gig driver means you have more responsibilities than you would if you worked a job where your taxes are withheld for you. Not only do you have to pay your own taxes, you must find smart ways to maximize your deductions and simplify the tax filing process. This sounds rather straightforward, but in truth, you need help.

That’s where Gridwise comes in. Although Gridwise has a mileage tracker, it does much more! Gridwise is designed specifically for gig workers by people who have been gig workers. That’s why the app’s many features cater directly to the needs of rideshare and delivery drivers, as well as all sorts of gig workers across the board.

You’ll find this useful when it comes to managing your tax preparation needs and managing your gig worker tax deductions. Gridwise gives you tools that make it easy to record and compile the information you need to maximize your tax deductions.

• a customizable mileage tracker that records every deductible mile
• income information and analysis for all the driving apps you use
• expense logging
• professional tax software interface to identify gig worker tax deductions
• sleek reports that make tax time a no-stress, no-worry, no-brainer

Gridwise is an extremely powerful app that addresses the needs of gig drivers and can also help you keep track of your other side hustle tax deductions.

A guide to using Gridwise for tax management

Set up mileage tracking

What makes Gridwise such a cool tool for deducting mileage for business? You want to capture every mile you can legally deduct while you’re on your driving gig. The driving apps will indeed tell you how many miles you’ve clocked on the trips you make for them, but they leave a lot of mileage missing from their calculations.

You also need to log the miles you drive on the way to and from your gig and while waiting to get a ping for a ride or delivery. Your apps don’t count that mileage, but Gridwise does! In fact, Gridwise can log your miles automatically as soon as your car starts moving from its parking place.

Setting up automatic tracking is easy. First, you’ll have to download Gridwise and access Gridwise Plus to unlock this feature. Then, follow these simple steps. You can set a specific “idle time,” which tells Gridwise how long to wait before turning off automatic tracking. This makes your mileage tracking life loads easier.

You can also track your miles manually using Gridwise Plus, as well as the free version of Gridwise. Follow these instructions, and you’ll be all set. The manual shift tracker will let you catch all the miles you drive, so make sure you turn it off when you’re done for the day. 

If you forget to turn the tracker off, or if you want to add to or adjust the miles you logged automatically, Gridwise makes it simple to edit your mileage figures. You can add mileage manually or make changes to your mileage whenever you need to do so.

With Gridwise, your mileage write-off will be accurate, and you’ll no longer have to worry about how to track mileage for taxes to add to your gig worker tax deductions. Gridwise does it for you!

Note that you can use Gridwise to track miles for all businesses that require the use of your vehicle. Whether you take short business trips or need your car to get from one client to another, Gridwise will help you capture each and every deductible mile.

Sync your earnings with gig apps

When you’re adding up all your gig income, you have choices. You can go through each and every app you drive for, and figure out the totals, or…you can use Gridwise to sync all your apps with your earnings records. Gig workers are busy people, and you can’t afford to spend hours manipulating figures (or missing gig worker tax deductions) and risking major math mistakes.

Streamline the process of adding up your earnings with Gridwise! All you need to do is sync your driving apps with Gridwise, and all your earnings will be recorded and retained. You’ll be able see, at a glance, how much each of the apps you use is earning for you. 

Gridwise’s graphs and maps show you the details of your earnings by various factors. This makes it easy to prepare Uber taxes, Lyft taxes, Uber Eats taxes, DoorDash taxes, and taxes for all the apps you use.

You can enter your income figures manually. This and many of the income features are available in the free version, but as a Gridwise Plus driver you’ll enjoy the most number of features when it comes to syncing your apps and analyzing your earnings. 

Log your expenses quickly and easily

Tax deduction for mileage isn’t the only delivery or rideshare tax-related item you can use to retain more of your income. Other expenses—from meals and phone costs to the equipment you buy to make your car more efficient for rideshare and delivery—can also be subtracted from your gross income.

You have to do more than take all the receipts you have and throw them in a shoebox so you can rifle through them at tax time. You need a tool with you at all times, one that gives you a place to record each and every expense you encounter. Gridwise is designed to be just that. Enter your expenses with the date and category, save them, and Gridwise will keep them impeccably organized.

Add, edit, or delete expenses using these directions. Later, you can view your total expenses on your earnings reports.

Generate and export tax reports

The real tax time magic happens when you generate and export your information to your or your tax preparer’s software program. From the earnings page, as shown in the screenshot above, simply tap on “Export Tax Reports.”

Gridwise Plus drivers can export their tax reports, which include accounting of all income from their various gigs as well as categorized expenses to .csv or .pdf formats. Free Gridwise app users can also export their information, but in .pdf format only.

Learn more about using Gridwise to generate tax reports and how to export them, so you can start using this convenient feature right away!

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Advanced tax features for gig workers

You can get tax help with a tap. Keeper is a tax filing app that offers support for all your tax preparation and filing needs with a big discount. 

Access to Keeper through Gridwise gives you 

• automatic categorization of your tax-deductible expenses
• write-off detection that identifies all your deductible expenses
• tax pros on standby to answer your questions
• tax filing services

Keeper is designed for independent contractors with 1099 income and also handles any W2 or other wage forms you might have. Let Gridwise and Keeper sort out the income from all your gigs and handle all your tax preparation needs. Upload your information, and you’ll never have to agonize over tax time again.

How exactly do Gridwise and Keeper make tax management easier?

Let’s start with tracking your expenses. There are so many purchases and services that are tax deductible. As a gig driver, keeping track of all your expenses, pinpointing which ones can be deducted from your gross income, and making sense of it all can get really complicated. Things get easier when you enter your expenses into Gridwise and let Keeper search your purchases to detect any tax deductible items you might have missed. 

Got questions? Get answers. Do you really know how to claim mileage on taxes? Without Gridwise and Keeper, you’re stuck poring over IRS and state tax rules and regulations all by yourself. When you unleash the power of Gridwise and Keeper, you get access to qualified tax professionals to answer all your questions and guide you through the process of preparing to file. 

Filing made simple. Once you submit your forms through Keeper’s highly intuitive drag-and-drop interface, a professional will verify your return. You can review a report listing your estimated taxes, your total deduction amounts, and any refunds you might receive from your state and federal returns. A Keeper tax professional will sign off on your returns, and you can keep driving without worrying about whether you got it right.

Source: Keepertax.com

Real-world benefits of using Gridwise for tax management

With Gridwise and Keeper on your side to help you with tax management, you have everything you need to streamline your accounting process and simplify the ordeal of filing your taxes.

Use Gridwise to:

Maximize deductions. Gridwise captures every mile you drive for business. This includes the distances traveled while you’re working but not on the gig app, and when you’re waiting to get a ping. You can also use Gridwise to track mileage for business trips you make for your other side gigs.

Organize your accounting. Use Gridwise to record your expenses, and let Keeper seek out other freelancer tax deductions you might not have considered. Keeper will also categorize your expenses so they can easily be entered on your tax returns.

Streamline the tax filing process. With Gridwise and Keeper, you can take the daunting task of sending tax returns to the authorities off your plate. Recording mileage, earnings, and expenses as you drive along will make it easy to compile the information you need to file. Then, with a Keeper tax expert checking your return over, you can be sure that it’s in compliance and done right.

Save time and reduce errors. All your tax management solutions are on one app when you use Gridwise. You can keep the focus on your job, which is earning more money on your driving gig. Let Gridwise and Keeper handle the rest, and be confident that you’re maximizing your income and holding on to as much of it as possible while remaining in full compliance.

Start organizing your gig business with Gridwise now, and take the responsibility of tracking, recording, and filing off your shoulders so you can sit back, relax, and keep driving.

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Learn about freelance tax deductions, Uber driver taxes, and more:

• The all-in-one assistant for gig drivers
• Strategies for maximizing tax write-offs
• Records drivers need to keep track of for taxes
• Best ways to track miles for taxes

You may love animals and want to welcome them into your car as much, or even more, than any other passenger, or you may not want to let them anywhere near your vehicle. In either case, you need to know the rules for carrying pets as passengers because those guidelines may be more important than you think. What about the Lyft and Uber pet policy?

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Understanding pet transportation rules

It’s your car, and it’s your body that might have an allergic reaction or aversion to animals. Are there really instances when you have to take an animal into your car? 

In the case of service animals, the answer is yes. 

The requirement to accept service animals is not only a rule imposed by your gig service company, it’s the law. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all government offices and businesses (including rideshare drivers) to accept service animals.

According to the ADA, service animals include dogs of any breed or size that are trained to perform a task directly related to a person’s disability.

If you are reported by a potential passenger for refusing to allow a service dog into your car, and an investigation by your rideshare platform proves that you refused them, you can be immediately and permanently deactivated from the driving app, whether it’s Uber or Lyft.

How can you know for sure if a passenger’s dog is a service animal?

To be honest, you can’t. The passenger is not required to present any papers or put special tags or other designations on the dog to prove that it’s a service animal. You’re only allowed to ask the passenger two questions:

1. Is the service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

The consensus, and the expectation of rideshare platforms is that most people are honest about the roles their animals play in their lives. As a driver, you’re just going to have to trust them. 

And, according to many people with disabilities, they expect you to understand and help by preparing to take them and their animals. After all, people with disabilities need rideshare services and depend on them to live a comparatively everyday life.

What about pets that aren’t service animals?

It makes sense to try to accommodate your passengers’ needs to transport their pets because you’ll be able to make their experience with you more pleasurable. That will most likely mean you get higher ratings and more significant tips.

Of course, each driver has different preferences, and you do have options. You decide if and under which circumstances you’ll agree to take a pet on board. Let’s look at the pet policies of both Uber and Lyft to see exactly what these options are.

Uber’s policy when it comes to pets on rides

Uber’s pet policy addresses both service animals and other pets. You always have the option of accepting passengers with pets. Now, though, there’s Uber Pet. With this service, your customer's requests will be marked similarly to UberX rides. You can opt to take the passenger and pet, depending on your wishes. Uber's customers are charged extra for Uber Pet rides, and you’ll get paid a little more for them! Opt into Uber Pet rides from the work hub in the Uber app.

What is the Uber policy when it comes to cats?

This is an Uber pet policy cat lovers can appreciate as well. Uber drivers are expected to accept feline friends as part of the Uber Pet arrangement. When it comes to more exotic pets, from ferrets and hamsters to monitor lizards and boa constrictors, you can make the call. You won’t be penalized for refusing these pets.

What is Uber's policy if a pet or service animal leaves a mess?

Cleaning fees can be applied if a passenger's pet soils your vehicle, and the passenger won’t be refunded, except in most cases involving service animals. Your rideshare company will still reimburse you, but your passengers with service animals will have their cleaning fees refunded if the only mess is caused by shedding. If a service dog’s excessive hair or bodily fluids are part of the mess, the rider will not be charged for the first two incidents, but after that, the cleaning fee will not be refunded.

When you decide to accept Uber Pet rides, you will want to carry a tarp or a blanket for your backseat to prevent your car from being covered in pet hair. If you are allergic, or if you just don’t dig dogs or care for cats, be sure you opt out of Uber Pet on the app’s work hub. You, as a driver, still are required to take service dogs in your vehicle, though, so taking along that tarp or blanket is always a good idea.

What are Lyft’s policies for pets, and cleaning up after them?

Lyft pet policy is similar to Uber’s, but there is no special pet-friendly option for passengers. In general, customers are asked to call and tell you that they have an animal with them. If you’re not willing to take their pet, you can cancel the ride and make yourself available for another one. In this case, the customer won’t be charged a cancellation fee.

If a pet makes a mess in your car, you’d report it like any other damage. Lyft doesn’t state any specific company policy about how you’d be reimbursed for cleaning up after animals, and there is no distinction between soiling or other damage caused by service dogs versus ordinary pets. If you have to deal with a major mess left by a rider’s animal, Lyft recommends that you report the damage and seek reimbursement.

Does Lyft’s pet policy leave room for your own service animal? 

What if you need to have a service animal with you? Under the law, you’re permitted to have a service animal with you while you’re driving. It’s polite and a smart policy, though, to call or otherwise inform your passengers that they can expect to meet your friend when they ride with you. Some people are allergic to or afraid of animals, and being in a car with one could be very unpleasant for them.

For safety as well as the comfort of your customers, consider restraining or kennelling your service animal, at least while others are in the car with you. This way, your furry friend will be able to remain focused on you, and won’t be distracted by passengers’ adoring comments.

What about emotional support animals?

In case you’re wondering, emotional support animals are not classified under the law the same way service animals are. Lyft’s pet policy doesn’t require you to accept rides with animals other than service dogs. 

Just like with any pet, you can accept the animal or let the rider find a driver willing to take the ride. Remember, riders are instructed to inform you when they request the ride that they have a pee.

You can’t bring your pet or an emotional support animal for your rides, though. You’ll have to settle for meeting the furry friends your passengers might bring in. Carry along some sort of covering for your back seat so they can ride comfortably and still let you keep your car looking clean and fresh.

How to maximize your rideshare efficiency and service quality

Your rideshare driving experience is better when you go out of your way to provide safe and friendly service to your customers. You have the right to set your boundaries, including whether you will agree to transport someone’s pet in your vehicle. Being honest and courteous about expressing your preferences is always a good bet.

You have lots of reasons to drive for Uber and Lyft, including more freedom, time, and additional earnings. Knowing policies about pets, providing honest and sincere customer service, and accommodating your passengers’ requests with kindness and courtesy will help you get bigger tips!

It’s also smart to have the tools you need with you at all times to run your rideshare gig right. Gridwise makes managing your business easy by giving you

• mileage tracking
• earnings tracking
• insights
• airport and events information
• benefits and discounts
• a community of like-minded gig workers

See the difference having a way to manage all your gigs in one place can make!

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More about boosting your earnings:

• 12 ways to earn more tips
• What’s the best mileage app?
• What you need to know about mileage and tax deductions
• Mileage tracking mistakes you don’t want to make

You're probably familiar with what a mileage tracker does, but finding the best one for your gig driving can be challenging. Many apps miss the mark when addressing the specific requirements of drivers, especially when it comes to tax deductions. Let’s delve into why it’s crucial to have a reliable mileage tracker tailored for gig drivers and learn how to track mileage for taxes effectively with Gridwise, the premier app for your needs!

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Reasons why mileage tracking is crucial for gig drivers

Why do you need a mileage tracker in the first place? Don’t the driving apps tell you how much you drive? In reality, the apps only record the distances you cover on trips. They miss the many miles you drive to and from your gig, and in between trips. Here are some reasons why it’s important to track all your gig-related miles.

• You need to track your tax deductible expenses. This is the number one reason why it’s so important to track your mileage accurately. The IRS rate for business mileage travel is $0.65 for 2023, and will be $0.67 for your 2024 tax year. Now, consider how many miles you put in doing rideshare and delivery work, do a bit of arithmetic, and you’ll come to a rather large sum that will become a substantial deduction from your taxable income.

• You benefit from income optimization and awareness. Here’s another wise way to use your mileage tracker app. When you keep accurate accounts of your mileage and income records, you’ll have the facts about how much money you get from your miles.

• You protect yourself from tax trouble. Reliably separating your business mileage lets you be in compliance with IRS regulations. Nobody wants to get burned by auditors out on the hunt for a bone to pick. Remember that you can deduct miles driven to and from your driving gig, as well as the miles accrued during each gig and in between them. You cannot deduct miles you drive for personal purposes, though. You need a mileage tracker that clearly differentiates between personal and business travel.

Gridwise: Your comprehensive, driver-friendly mileage tracker

Gridwise is more than a  mileage tracker app. Created by gig workers, for gig workers, Gridwise doesn’t require you to adapt a generic tracker to your specific needs. The app gives you driver-friendly features that make it simple for you to track the miles that matter.

Gridwise also has features that assist drivers by informing them about events, traffic, and weather. It will also track your earnings and show you where and when you can make the most money. 

Here’s why you’ll want to make Gridwise your comprehensive mileage tracking partner.

With Gridwise 

• you choose from three options to attain complete control over your mileage figures
• you end the nightmare of manual mileage tracking or guesstimating your gig driving mileage
• you capture the miles you drive between rideshare or delivery trips
• you get fewer disruptions because Gridwise syncs with your driving apps and tracks your earnings seamlessly

Setting up Gridwise for your gigs

Getting started is easy. Your first step, of course, is to download the Gridwise app. Once you have the app loaded on your device, there are just a few more things you’ll need to set up.

First, you’ll need to enable location and motion detection and adjust a few additional settings on your phone. 

Once you do that, you can choose from three ways to track your miles with Gridwise. Begin by deciding whether you’ll use manual or automatic tracking.

Note: Manual tracking is available in the free version. Gridwise Plus members benefit from automatic mileage tracking.

Gridwise offers a total of three options for tracking your mileage. The first two options for manual tracking are available on the free version as well as Gridwise Plus:

1. Use on/off mileage tracking. Turn mileage tracking on and off when you begin and end your shifts. From the Earnings screen, tap the tracking button, and you’ll begin recording your miles. Turn tracking off when you finish your shift, and you will stop recording miles until you enable it at the beginning of your next shift.

Pro Tip: If you’re worried that you won’t remember to turn on tracking when you start your shift, don’t be. As long as you have Gridwise running in the background, a reminder to start tracking will appear every time you drive your vehicle. If you’re not driving for business, simply decline, and be on your way to wherever else you're going.

2. Type in your mileage figures. If you want to clock your miles separately, and then add them to your records in Gridwise, simply tap the “+” button on the Earnings screen, fill in the information, and tap “Save.”

The third option, automatic tracking, is available to Gridwise Plus members only. 

3. Automatically track your mileage. This feature enables you to set up the tracker to detect when you move your vehicle, and need Gridwise to track your miles. Tracking stops once your vehicle is parked for a preset “idle” time period, which you can select and adjust. This makes accurate tracking more convenient for drivers who might not remember to turn tracking on and off during their shifts.

Wondering what happens if you make a mistake? What if you forget to turn the mileage tracker on or off? What happens if you accidentally track miles that aren’t tax deductible?

With Gridwise, you can always edit your mileage to make such adjustments. Add or delete mileage that you don’t want to include using these easy steps.

The best mileage tracker for tax purposes and more

Other mileage trackers only tell you how many miles you have driven. Because Gridwise is designed specifically for gig drivers, it enables you to track all the miles you drive for business. If you have a side gig or two that don’t involve driving apps, you can still use Gridwise to help you log all those deductible miles as well.

Gridwise Plus drivers benefit from enhanced features, but the free version of Gridwise is a powerful tool that outperforms other mileage trackers because it’s designed for gig drivers, by gig drivers!

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Maximize earnings with mileage data analysis

You can use mileage figures for more than just tax deductions. Gridwise stands out as the best mileage tracking app for delivery drivers and rideshare workers alike because it provides insightful reports.

• Compare and contrast your earnings and your mileage with the apps you work with, and determine where your time is best spent.
• Optimize routes, with efficiency in mind. You could find that driving those extra miles from one side of town to the other doesn’t pay off the way you thought they might. Pro tip: Use Where to Drive and When to Drive to show you where you can find the money, and when.
• Check out the correlation between earnings and mileage on different apps to see which are the most profitable.

Here’s how to find those useful Gridwise reports:

On the main screen, tap “Earnings,” and you’ll be whisked away to a summary of earnings for the current week and year. You’ll see your gross earnings, expenses, and mileage deduction figures, by week and by day. You can also see these figures by service—i.e., all the different gigs you work with. 

Stay on top of your data and IRS information

The Gridwise app keeps accurate accounts of your mileage and income, and it pays for you to check in with it from time to time, so you’re on top of your gig driving performance and tax compliance. 

1. Review your data on a regular basis. You don’t want to let mileage get lost should you forget to add it in manually. In a similar way, you’ll want to keep an eye out for any instances where you recorded mileage for a road trip that was pure fun, and hence, not tax deductible.
2. Back up your mileage data and earnings information to a source outside of your mobile device. A telephonic catastrophe could ruin your records, and you won’t want to lose the valuable information you’re collecting with Gridwise.
3. Stay informed. Read up on IRS regulations to ensure that you’re in compliance with all the rules that are related to your mileage and other deductible expenses, as well as those involving work in the gig economy. 

Beyond the best business mileage tracking app: Get more with Gridwise

The next time someone asks you about the best mileage tracking app for DoorDash or any other gig you drive for, you’ll know to tell them about Gridwise. While you’re at it, don’t forget to tell them about all the other driver-focused features the Gridwise app offers, including

• real-time weather, traffic, airport. and events information
• earnings insights
• deals and discounts
• tax help
• insurance and affordable health care options
• money-saving connections to automotive and financial services

All these features are available when you download the free app, but when you join Gridwise Plus, the discounts get deeper and the benefits multiply!

There’s even more value to being a Gridwise driver! The Gridwise community offers support from other drivers, along with special contests and giveaways. Join our Facebook community and follow us on Instagram to connect with awesome Gridwise drivers who share your issues and interests.

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More about mileage and other tax deductions for drivers:

• Avoid these mileage mistakes
• Explore options for deducting mileage and other expenses
• Choose the best mileage tracker app
• Maximize your tax deductions
• Download Gridwise today!