The Stride app simplifies mileage tracking for tax deductions by using your phone's GPS to automatically log business miles and prepare them for tax season.
How Does the Stride App Work?
The Stride app is designed to make mileage tracking effortless for self-employed individuals, freelancers, and gig workers who need to account for business travel. It leverages your smartphone's capabilities to ensure accurate and compliant record-keeping for tax purposes.
Effortless Mileage Tracking
When you embark on a business trip, you simply press the "start" button on the Stride app as you leave your location. From that moment, the app utilizes your phone's built-in GPS to track and log every mile you drive. This automatic tracking eliminates the need for manual logging, ensuring that no deductible mile is missed while you are working.
Automating Tax Deductions
Beyond just tracking, the Stride app is engineered to automatically maximize your eligible mileage deductions. It captures the tracked miles and organizes them into an IRS-ready standard mileage format. This significantly streamlines the process of preparing your tax returns, as all your necessary mileage documentation is compiled in a format acceptable to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Step-by-Step Usage
Using the Stride app for mileage tracking is a straightforward process designed for simplicity:
- Download & Setup: Install the Stride app on your smartphone and complete the initial setup.
- Initiate Tracking: Before starting a business drive, open the app and press the 'Start' button.
- Drive as Usual: Conduct your business travel, and the app will automatically record your mileage in the background using GPS.
- End Tracking: Once your business drive is complete, return to the app and press the 'Stop' button.
- Review & Categorize: The app processes the recorded data, often allowing you to review and categorize trips as business or personal if needed.
Key Benefits for Users
Users relying on Stride benefit from several key features:
- Automatic Logging: Eliminates manual logbooks, saving time and reducing errors.
- Tax Optimization: Maximizes potential tax write-offs by ensuring all eligible miles are captured.
- IRS-Ready Reports: Generates comprehensive reports in a format that simplifies tax preparation.
- Simplicity: Designed with a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for everyone.
Who Can Benefit?
Anyone who uses their personal vehicle for business purposes can benefit greatly from the Stride app. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Rideshare drivers (e.g., Uber, Lyft)
- Food delivery drivers (e.g., DoorDash, Uber Eats)
- Freelancers and consultants
- Sales professionals
- Real estate agents
- Anyone self-employed with travel as part of their business operations
Stride App Functionality at a Glance
| Action | Stride App Function | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| User Presses 'Start' | Activates built-in GPS tracking when you leave your location. | Miles are automatically logged as you drive. |
| App Tracks Miles | Utilizes GPS to record every mile driven during your trip. | Accurate, real-time mileage data without manual input. |
| App Processes Data | Automatically categorizes and calculates mileage deductions. | Maximized deductions, presented in an IRS-ready format. |
| User Presses 'Stop' | Deactivates GPS tracking, saving the trip's data. | Trip details are securely stored for future reporting. |
