Tax deductions for rideshare & delivery drivers
As a rideshare or delivery driver you can generally claim the work portion of your car running costs, your phone and data, and app or platform fees.
Driving is a business, and the ATO treats it that way — including a GST twist most new drivers don’t expect. Here’s what to track.
The three rules for any claim
- You paid for it yourself and weren’t reimbursed.
- It directly relates to earning your income.
- You have a record — a receipt, invoice or bank statement.
Checked against ATO guidance: August 2026
What you can usually claim
Car expenses
The business-use portion of fuel, servicing, insurance, registration and depreciation — via a logbook (usually the better result for high kilometres) or cents-per-kilometre. Tracking your work vs private split is the whole game here.
Phone, data and accessories
The work-use portion of your phone plan and data, plus mounts, chargers and other accessories used for the driving.
Platform and running costs
Commissions and service fees charged by the platform, cleaning of the vehicle, tolls incurred while working, and water or amenities you provide to passengers.
General information, not personal tax advice. What you can claim depends on your circumstances — check the ATO's own occupation guides or a registered tax agent, and keep records for every claim.
Keep in mind
- The private portion of your car use.
- Fines and parking tickets.
- Normal meals while driving (unless travelling away overnight for work).
Where mistakes happen
The claims most likely to get adjusted — not because they're disallowed outright, but because the split or the timing was off.
- Assuming the $75,000 GST threshold applies to ride-sourcing — it doesn't; registration is required from your first ride regardless of turnover.
- Claiming 100% of car running costs without a logbook to support the business-use percentage.
Take it further
Add or remove GST/VAT on any amount, with the formula shown every time.
AI2Fin for sole traders →One account, two lives, already sorted
GST (Goods and Services Tax) →Australia’s flat 10% tax on most goods and services.
Logbook method (car expenses) →Claim your car’s real business-use share of running costs.
Sole trader →The simplest business structure — you and the business are one.
ABN (Australian Business Number) →The 11-digit number that identifies your business.
Rideshare & delivery drivers — common questions
Do I need to register for GST as a rideshare driver?
Rideshare (ride-sourcing) drivers in Australia generally must register for GST regardless of turnover — the usual $75,000 threshold doesn’t apply to ride-sourcing. Food-delivery-only drivers may be treated differently. Check your situation with the ATO or a tax agent. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
Logbook or cents-per-kilometre?
A 12-week logbook captures your real business-use percentage and usually gives a bigger claim if you drive a lot; cents-per-kilometre is simpler for lighter use. You can work out which suits you and switch approaches between years. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
Can I claim my phone?
Yes — the work-related portion of your phone and data is generally claimable, based on a reasonable work-use percentage. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
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