Uber is a platform that connects its users to drivers who can either provide them with a lift or drop food off at their door. It’s continued to grow in popularity, making it the perfect role for those who are looking to earn some extra cash through a side hustle or want something flexible that suits them.

It does come with its complexities though, because while Uber drivers are now classed as ‘workers’ (so you’re entitled to things like National Living Wage, holiday pay, and a pension), you are not an employee.

So, despite the new worker laws, for tax purposes you’re self-employed, and that means submitting a tax return. We’re here to talk you through the taxes you need to pay as an Uber driver as well as the expenses you can claim.

Do I need to pay tax as an Uber driver?

Yes – but the tax-free trading allowance means you can earn up to £1,000 from self-employment in a tax year, before you need to let HMRC know.

If your self-employed earnings reach this threshold, you’ll normally set yourself up as a sole trader. This means you’ll submit an annual Self Assessment tax return to let HMRC know about the profits (or losses – you’ll still need to submit a return) you’ve made – as well as any expenses you need to claim back.

What business structure should I be as an Uber driver?

Most Uber drivers in the UK are sole traders but you can set up your own limited company if it makes more sense based on your circumstances. For example, if you’re earning over a certain threshold and want to be more tax efficient by taking a smaller salary and paying yourself the rest in dividends.

A limited company comes with more responsibility, and you’ll need to submit a Company Tax Return (and pay Corporation Tax) as well as a Self Assessment tax return. We have a guide on choosing a business structure that may help.

If you are Ubering as a side hustle then lots of people find that being a sole trader is the easiest way to go about this because there’s no start-up fees, and it’s fairly straightforward in terms of staying HMRC compliant. But again, choosing between becoming a sole trader or limited company depends on your circumstances!
 

What expenses can I claim as an Uber driver?

A benefit to being self-employed is the ability to claim back business expenses, reducing how much tax you need to pay. Expenses are things you need to purchase in order to do your job – for example, fuel.

 
The same rule applies if you’re a VAT registered business and claiming the VAT on your fuel. Most of your costs are likely to qualify as a business expense, as long as you can prove that they’re genuine. Lots of drivers ask whether they can claim costs relating to their car, such as fuel, maintenance, repairs, and even the vehicle itself. The good news is that there are two ways self-employed drivers can work out their vehicle expenses, and you can choose which one is most tax efficient for you.

• Claim your actual expenses: You can claim allowable vehicle expenses on a range of costs such as insurance, hire charges, and breakdown cover. If you only ever use the vehicle for Uber, then you can claim all the allowable costs. If you sometimes use it for personal reasons, then you’ll only be able to claim for the proportion of costs which relate to your business.
• Simplified expenses: This is where you claim your costs as a flat rate for each mile you travel (instead of the actual cost to run your vehicle.)

If you claim your actual expenses then these might include:

• Car cleaning or valeting
• Car tools
• First aid kits
• Torches
• Billing charges from your carrier
• Vehicle insurance and Public Liability insurance
• Phone costs
• Snacks or drinks for customers (if you’re a really generous driver)
• Any cuts Uber take from your earnings
• Your private car hire license fee
• Any training costs

You can check out GOV UK for more examples of expenses you can claim if you’re self-employed.

What’s the difference between a worker and an employee?

In most cases, employees are given a contract that states how many days and hours they’ll work. For example, Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm with an hour break. It normally means an employee is guaranteed work and, because they know their hours, they know exactly how much they’ll be taking home each month.

A worker, on the other hand, has more flexibility, with the autonomy to choose when they work but this can also mean there isn’t always as much work available. For example, if you drive in an area that has very little demand during off-peak hours, or somewhere that too many drivers already operate.
 

Although there are rules in place to protect both employees and workers against discrimination or unlawful deductions from their wages, workers don’t have any statutory employment rights to protect them from unfair dismissal, or entitle them to statutory redundancy.

Will Uber report my income to HMRC?

Yes – starting from January 1st, 2024. New plans have been implemented to crack down on tax evasion within the gig economy, and digital platforms including Uber have been instructed by HMRC to disclose the amounts earned by their workers.

Technically nothing will change in terms of your reporting requirements, but it’s crucial to make sure you use a robust bookkeeping system to minimise any discrepancies between your figures and Uber’s.

 
Learn more about our online accounting services for Uber drivers like you. Call the team on 020 3355 4047 or get an instant online quote.