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Private hire drivers

Accountant for Uber and private hire drivers

We prepare and file tax returns for self-employed drivers on Uber, Bolt and FreeNow. We explain what we do, what we need from you and what it costs before we start.

Last updated: November 2026

Book a free call Read the driver guides

Who this is for

This page is for self-employed private hire drivers who work through Uber, Bolt or FreeNow. That includes:

  • full-time and part-time drivers
  • drivers who use one app, and drivers who use several
  • drivers in London and drivers outside London
  • new drivers who have not registered with HMRC yet

If you drive for a living, you run a business. You report your income and expenses to HMRC through Self Assessment, and you pay your own Income Tax and National Insurance. The app does not do this for you.

Why driver tax is different

A driver's tax return looks simple. In practice, a few points catch people out every year. Each one has its own guide.

  • Your income may be more than what reaches your bank.Outside London, your Uber income is usually the full fare the passenger pays, and Uber's commission is a business expense. In London, and on Bolt and FreeNow, it works differently. What counts as your income
  • There are two ways to claim car costs.You use either the mileage rate or your actual costs. The better choice depends on your miles and your car. Mileage vs actual costs
  • How you pay for your car changes what you can claim.Buying outright, hire purchase, leasing and rent-to-buy are each treated differently. Vehicle finance and capital allowances
  • Income from every app goes on one tax return.You add up all your platforms. The total decides whether Making Tax Digital applies to you. Driving for more than one platform
  • VAT depends on who your passenger contracts with.Where the app is the principal, it deals with VAT on the fare. That covers Uber in London, and Bolt and FreeNow everywhere. Outside London, Uber acts as an agent, so your Uber fares are your own turnover for VAT. Most drivers still do not need to register. VAT for private hire drivers

What has changed for drivers

Apps now report your earnings to HMRC

Since 1 January 2024, digital platforms collect details of the people who earn through them, including drivers. They send these to HMRC each year by the following January. This does not change what you owe. You have always had to declare all your driving income. Source: GOV.UK, selling goods or services on a digital platform.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax has started

From 6 April 2026, self-employed people with qualifying income over £50,000 in 2024 to 2025 must keep digital records and send HMRC quarterly updates. The threshold drops to £30,000 from 6 April 2027 and £20,000 from 6 April 2028. Qualifying income is your total income from self-employment and property, before expenses. Source: GOV.UK, find out if and when you need to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. What MTD means for drivers

The mileage rate went up

From 6 April 2026, the mileage rate for the first 10,000 business miles in a tax year is 55p a mile, up from 45p. How the mileage rate works

Driver guides

Each guide answers one question in full. Start with the one that matches where you are.

Getting started
Do I need to register for Self Assessment? When you must register, how to do it and what happens if you are late. Read the guide How to find your UTR number Where your Unique Taxpayer Reference appears and how to get it if you have lost it. Read the guide UTR checker A short tool to check whether you already have a UTR. Use the tool How to authorise your tax agent How to give an accountant permission to deal with HMRC for you. Read the guide
Your income
What counts as my income? Fares, commission and what goes on your tax return, in London and outside it. Read the guide Driving for more than one platform How to combine income from Uber, Bolt and FreeNow on one return. Read the guide
Expenses and your car
What expenses can I claim? The costs you can claim as a driver and the ones you cannot. Read the guide Mileage or actual costs? How the two methods work and how to compare them for your car. Read the guide Vehicle finance and capital allowances What you can claim if you buy, finance, lease or rent your car. Read the guide
Tax and HMRC
How much tax will I pay? How your tax and National Insurance are worked out from your profit. Read the guide Do I need to register for VAT? When you need to register, and why it depends on which app you drive for. Read the guide Making Tax Digital for drivers Who must join, when, and what quarterly updates involve. Read the guide I have had a letter from HMRC What the letter means and what to do next. Read the guide

Your tax return, done for you

We work with private hire drivers on the following.

Self Assessment tax return

We prepare and file your annual return.

  • Income checked against your platform statements
  • All your platforms combined on one return
  • Mileage and actual costs compared each year

Making Tax Digital

For drivers who have to join MTD for Income Tax.

  • Set-up of HMRC-recognised software
  • Quarterly updates sent to HMRC
  • Year-end tax return

Getting set up

For new drivers, or drivers who have never filed.

  • Self Assessment registration
  • Help finding or getting your UTR
  • Agent authorisation with HMRC

VAT

For drivers whose own fares are near the threshold, such as Uber drivers outside London.

  • A check of whether you need to register
  • Registration and VAT returns if you do

Our fees. We charge a fixed fee. We agree it with you in writing before we start, after a short call about your driving, your platforms and your records. Our fee is a business expense, so you can claim it on your tax return.

How to get started

  1. 1
    Book a free call

    Pick a time that suits you, or send us a WhatsApp message. We ask about your driving, your platforms, your car and your records.

  2. 2
    We confirm the work and the fee in writing

    You see exactly what we will do, what we need from you and what it costs before you commit.

  3. 3
    You authorise us with HMRC

    This lets us deal with HMRC for you. Our agent authorisation guide shows you how.

Common questions

No. You can register and file your own return with HMRC. Many drivers use an accountant because of the points that catch people out, such as how much of the fare counts as income and which way to claim car costs.

We charge a fixed fee. It depends on how many platforms you use, the state of your records and whether Making Tax Digital applies to you. We give you the fee in writing after a short free call, before any work starts.

Your earnings statements from each app you drive for, your mileage record or your car cost receipts, and records of your other business costs. We also ask about any other income you have, such as a job or rental income. We confirm the full list on our first call.

Yes. The cost of preparing your business accounts and tax return is an allowable expense. You claim it on your tax return with your other business costs.

Read the letter carefully and note the date HMRC asks you to reply by. Do not ignore it. Our HMRC letter guide explains what these letters mean and the options open to you.

This page is general guidance, not advice for your own circumstances. It was correct as at the date shown at the top, and tax rules and rates change over time. Please take advice on your own position before acting on anything here.

Ready to get your returns right? We handle the whole process for you.

Book a free call