Yes, Uber drivers can get tax refunds, but the process depends on how much you earned and what deductions you claimed

Uber drivers are self-employed, which means you file taxes differently than a W-2 employee. You report your earnings on Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) and pay self-employment tax on top of income tax. A refund happens the same way it does for any taxpayer: if you paid more in taxes throughout the year than you actually owe, the IRS sends the difference back to you.

The key difference for Uber drivers is that your refund depends heavily on the deductions you claim. Mileage, vehicle maintenance, phone bills, and insurance are all deductible business expenses. The more legitimate expenses you subtract from your gross earnings, the lower your taxable income becomes — and the more likely you are to get a refund if you had taxes withheld or made estimated payments.

If you drove for Uber but had no other income and claimed no deductions, you will owe self-employment tax on your earnings. In that case, you would not get a refund unless you overpaid through estimated tax payments during the year.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber drivers file Schedule C with the IRS and pay self-employment tax, which is different from W-2 employee taxes.
  • A refund occurs when you paid more in taxes than you owe, either through estimated payments or withholding from other income.
  • Deductions for mileage, vehicle costs, phone service, and insurance reduce your taxable income and increase the chance of a refund.
  • You must file a tax return to receive a refund, even if your Uber income was below the filing threshold.
  • The IRS sends refunds by direct deposit or check, typically within 21 days of processing your return.

How self-employment tax works for Uber drivers

When you drive for Uber, the company does not withhold income tax or Social Security and Medicare taxes from your payments. Instead, you are responsible for paying self-employment tax, which covers both the employee and employer portions of Social Security and Medicare. For 2024, the self-employment tax rate is 15.3% on 92.35% of your net earnings.

This means that even if you had zero other income and claimed zero deductions, you would owe self-employment tax on your Uber earnings. The IRS expects you to pay this through quarterly estimated tax payments (due April 15, June 17, September 16, and January 15 of the following year). If you did not make these payments and owe money when you file, you will not get a refund — you will owe the IRS instead.

However, if you had other income sources with withholding (like a part-time W-2 job), or if you made estimated payments that turned out to be more than you owed, you can receive a refund when you file your return.

Deductions that reduce your taxable income as an Uber driver

The standard mileage deduction is the easiest way to lower your taxable income. For 2024, the IRS allows you to deduct 67 cents per business mile driven. You must track your mileage yourself — Uber does not provide this information on your 1099-NEC. Keep a log or use a mileage tracking app, and save receipts for any miles you drove to pick up passengers, drop them off, or drive to a pickup location.

Beyond mileage, you can deduct actual vehicle expenses if you choose not to use the standard mileage rate. These include gas, oil changes, repairs, insurance, registration, and depreciation. You can also deduct phone bills (the business portion), car washes, tolls, and parking fees. Home office expenses do not apply to Uber drivers unless you have a separate office space used exclusively for business.

Keep receipts and records for all expenses you claim. The IRS does not require you to attach them to your return, but you must have them if you are audited. Many drivers use accounting software like TurboTax Self-Employed or hire a tax preparer who specializes in self-employment income to make sure they capture all deductions.

When Uber drivers receive refunds

You receive a refund only after you file your tax return and the IRS processes it. If you file electronically and claim direct deposit, the IRS typically sends refunds within 21 days of processing. If you request a paper check, allow four to six weeks.

The IRS processes returns in the order they are received. If you file early in the tax season (January or February), you may see your refund sooner than someone who files in April. However, if your return is flagged for review — for example, if your deductions seem unusually high compared to your income — processing takes longer.

You can track your refund status using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight.

Form 1099-NEC and what it means for your refund

Uber sends you a Form 1099-NEC by January 31 each year, showing the total payments you received. This form goes to both you and the IRS. You must report this income on your tax return, even if the amount seems wrong or if you earned less than the filing threshold.

The 1099-NEC does not account for refunds, chargebacks, or cancelled trips. If Uber deducted money from your account after the form was issued, you can still deduct those losses on Schedule C. The form also does not show your business expenses, so the IRS does not know how much you actually earned as profit.

This is why deductions matter: the 1099-NEC shows gross income, but your actual taxable income is gross income minus business expenses. If your expenses are high enough, your taxable income could be zero or even negative (a loss), which would result in a larger refund if you had other income or made estimated payments.

Filing your return as an Uber driver

You file your Uber income on Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business), which is part of Form 1040. You will also file Schedule SE (Self-Employment Tax) to calculate how much self-employment tax you owe. If you use tax software, these forms are filled out automatically based on the information you enter.

You can file yourself using free software if your income is below a certain threshold (the IRS Free File program sets this limit each year), or you can pay for software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct. Many Uber drivers hire a tax preparer or CPA, especially if they also have other income sources or complex deductions.

When you file, you will report your gross Uber income (from the 1099-NEC), subtract your business expenses, and calculate your net profit. This net profit is subject to both income tax and self-employment tax. The combination of these two taxes determines how much you owe. If you paid more than that through estimated payments or withholding from other jobs, you get a refund.

What to do if you did not receive a 1099-NEC

Uber is required to send a 1099-NEC if you earned $600 or more in a calendar year. If you earned less than $600, Uber does not send a form, but you still must report the income on your tax return if you file one.

If you earned $600 or more and did not receive a 1099-NEC by February 15, contact Uber's tax support through the app or website. You can also call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to report a missing form. The IRS can request the form from Uber on your behalf.

Do not skip reporting Uber income just because you did not receive a 1099-NEC. The IRS has a copy of the form (if Uber issued one), and mismatches between what you report and what the IRS has on file can trigger an audit notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file a tax return if I only earned a small amount from Uber?

If your net self-employment income is $400 or more, you must file a return to pay self-employment tax. If it is less than $400, you do not have to file — but you should if you want to claim a refund from other income sources or if Uber issued you a 1099-NEC.

Can I claim Uber expenses if I do not have receipts?

The standard mileage deduction does not require receipts — you just need a mileage log. For other expenses like repairs or insurance, the IRS expects you to have documentation. Without receipts, you cannot claim those deductions if audited. Keep records for at least three years.

What if I owe money instead of getting a refund?

If you owe taxes when you file, you can pay the IRS directly through their website, by mail, or by phone. If you cannot pay in full, you can set up a payment plan. The IRS charges interest and penalties on unpaid taxes, so paying as soon as possible reduces what you owe.

Does Uber take out taxes for me?

No. Uber does not withhold income tax or self-employment tax. You are responsible for calculating and paying these taxes yourself, either through quarterly estimated payments or when you file your annual return.

Can I deduct my car payment or lease?

You cannot deduct a car payment or lease payment directly. However, if you use the standard mileage deduction, it accounts for depreciation. If you deduct actual vehicle expenses instead, you can deduct depreciation (for a car you own) or the lease payment (for a leased car), but not both.