Driving for Amazon flex can be a good way to earn supplemental income. And knowing your tax write-offs can be a good way to keep that income in your pocket!
Beyond just mileage or car expenses, getting a 1099 from Amazon means that you can claim a lot of other expenses as tax write-offs: the phone you use to call residents with a locked gate, the insurance and down payments on your car, and many more.
Read on to find out everything you should be claiming when you file your taxes.
Schedule C, Box 22
Insulated bags or backpacks used to keep food warm while delivering are fully deductible.
Schedule C, Box 10
Any commissions and fees charged by delivery apps are fully deductible.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Part of your actual phone's cost, monthly phone bill, and any accessories you use for work can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 27a
If you use your phone for work (who doesn't?), then a part of your phone bill is tax-deductible.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Any uniform you're required to wear on the job can be deducted from your taxes.
When you drive for Amazon Flex, your office is the open road. That means the biggest chunk of your work expenses will come from what you're spending on your car. And that means more than just gas!
Schedule C, Box 27a
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 27a
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 13
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Schedule C, Box 22
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
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Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
Schedule C, Box 9
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
You can write off the cost of lunch or dinner if you're using the meal to talk shop. That might mean chatting with someone who's thinking of signing up as an Amazon Flex driver, or learning tips from a veteran delivery driver.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
On the off-chance you attend a work-related event, or pick up Amazon Flex orders somewhere livelier than your hometown, you can write off what it cost you to travel there.
Schedule C, Box 24a
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!
Most of your work will happen out on the road, so home office expenses aren't as likely to be relevant for you. Still, don't sleep on them if you do happen to work from a dedicated workstation in your apartment or house. That might mean, say, building up your own, branded delivery business apart from Amazon Flex by working on client development and branding.
Schedule C, Box 18
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 21
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
Form 8829
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Form 8829
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
Form 8829
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.
Schedule C, Box 25
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
