Lyft driver taxes, explained simply.
Lyft drivers are self-employed. You report your Lyft earnings, subtract your driving costs, and pay tax on the profit. If you also drive for Uber, everything goes on one return.
What Lyft gives you
| Document | Who gets it | Official? |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Summary | All drivers: rides, online miles and earnings | No, but very useful |
| 1099-K | Drivers over the IRS threshold for passenger payments | Yes, IRS form |
| 1099-NEC | Drivers paid for referrals, incentives or bonuses over the threshold | Yes, IRS form |
Lyft says tax documents are added to the Tax Center in your Driver Dashboard by January 31.
Sources: Lyft: Driver taxes · IRS: Understanding your Form 1099-K · NATP: Form 1099 $2,000 threshold
Driving for Lyft and Uber
Many NYC drivers use both apps. Income from both goes on one Schedule C for your driving business. Your miles and costs are shared too: you deduct them once, not once per app. Using the online miles from both annual summaries helps you build a full mileage record.
Sources: IRS: About Schedule C · IRS: Gig economy tax center
File your taxes and handle your TLC insurance in the same office.
Thousands of New York City drivers already insure with Syed Insurance Agency. Now the same office prepares your taxes too, with a licensed CPA, at the best price in the market. Bring your Uber or Lyft tax documents and your TLC policy, and we take care of both.
Frequently asked
I didn’t get a 1099 from Lyft. Do I still report the income?
Yes. The IRS says gig income must be reported even if no form was issued. Use your Lyft Annual Summary to find your earnings.
Do I file separate returns for Uber and Lyft?
No. Both go on the same tax return and usually on the same Schedule C.
Sources: Lyft: Driver taxes · IRS: Understanding your Form 1099-K · NATP: Form 1099 $2,000 threshold · IRS: About Schedule C · IRS: Gig economy tax center
Figures and rules on this page come from the official and published sources linked above, as of November 2026. People and numbers in the examples are made up to explain the idea. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice for your situation, and laws change; check the linked source or ask a licensed CPA before you act.
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