Ride-sharing, sometimes referred to as ride-hailing or ride-sourcing, is an ongoing arrangement where:
- you, a driver, make a car available for public hire for passengers
- a passenger uses a third-party online marketplace (also known as a digital platform), such as a website or an app, to request a ride, for example, Uber, Zoomy or Ola
- you use the car to transport the passenger for a fare.
Ride-sharing fares paid to you are taxable income. You may also have to pay goods and services tax (GST) on your ride-sharing income.
For income tax you must:
- have an IRD number
- include the gross fare income you earn in your income tax return
- only claim expenses directly relating to you providing a ride-sharing sevice
- keep records of all your income and expenses.
For GST you must:
- have an IRD number
- register for GST if you have earned or will earn more than $60,000 from all taxable activities including gross fares in any 12-month period
- pay GST on the full fare
- only claim expenses for the amount of time you provide a ride-sharing service
- keep records of all your income and expenses.