A free 2026 money check-up made only for rideshare & delivery drivers in Chicago — no employer, no 401(k), irregular pay, and Illinois tax rules that work for or against you.
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Great weeks, dead weeks. Salaried budgeting advice doesn't fit you.
Every business mile is a 2026 tax deduction — most drivers never track them.
Stays on your screen. No signup.
Every untracked mile is 72.5¢ of 2026 deduction you can't get back at tax time.
As self-employed you can use a Solo 401(k) or SEP-IRA and save far more than an employee.
Personal auto policies often don't cover app driving — one gap can cost thousands.
Free match with a fee-based fiduciary advisor who works with gig & self-employed clients near Chicago.
If you drive for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash or Instacart in Chicago, you're running a small business — even if it doesn't feel like one. The tax rules, retirement options and protections that apply to you differ from a regular employee's. Here's what matters most in Chicago and across Illinois.
The 2026 IRS standard mileage rate is 72.5¢ per business mile. A Chicago driver covering 13,000 business miles a year can deduct about $9,425 — but only if it's logged. A free mileage tracker pays for itself on day one.
Illinois levies a state income tax of 4.95% flat (2025 figure; confirm the current rate). Combined with federal income tax and the 15.3% self-employment tax, a higher state rate means your mileage and retirement deductions are worth even more — they cut your state bill too.
Because you're self-employed, you can contribute far more than a typical employee, lowering this year's taxable income while building retirement savings you actually control.
Standard personal auto policies often exclude app driving. A rideshare endorsement closes the gap that could otherwise cost you thousands after an accident in Chicago.