The best accounting software for taxi and Uber drivers
Quick answer
For most self-employed taxi, Uber and Bolt drivers, QuickBooks is the best accounting software, thanks to GPS mileage tracking and receipt capture from £10 a month. Coconut suits drivers who do everything on their phone, and Starling's free sole trader account has MTD tools built in.
If you drive a taxi or private hire car, or work through apps like Uber and Bolt, you are probably self-employed. From 6 April 2027, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax applies to sole traders with qualifying income over £30,000 (GOV.UK). For drivers, the big jobs are tracking mileage and keeping on top of weekly app statements. We picked the software that handles both, based on our review of features, pricing and user ratings. Prices were checked in October 2026.
Not sure if you need MTD yet? Our Do I need MTD? checker gives you your date in 30 seconds.
Best accounting software for taxi drivers at a glance
| Software | Price (checked October 2026) | MTD for Income Tax | Free tier | Bank feeds | App rating | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks | From £10/month (Sole Trader Plus) | Yes | No (30-day trial) | Yes | 4.7 iOS / 4.6 Android | Sole traders who want strong mobile receipt capture and mileage tracking | Visit site |
| Coconut | From £49.99/year (bridging) or £12.99/month (MTD filing) | Yes | Free to start | Yes | 4.7 iOS / 4.3 Android | Sole traders and landlords who do everything on their phone | Visit site |
| Starling (sole trader account) | Free (built into the sole trader account) | Yes | Yes | Built in | 4.9 iOS / 4.8 Android | Sole traders who want banking and MTD in one free app | Visit site |
| FreeAgent | From £10/month (Landlord) or £19/month (Sole trader). Free with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle | Yes | Yes, with eligible bank | Yes | 4.8 iOS / 4.7 Android | NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank and Mettle customers (free) | Visit site |
| 123 Sheets | £19.75/year per taxpayer | Yes (bridging) | Demo only | No | No app (desktop) | Spreadsheet users who want the cheapest compliant route | Visit site |
Prices exclude VAT unless stated and were checked on each provider's website in October 2026. Introductory offers change often, so always confirm the live price. App ratings are from the UK App Store and Google Play in October 2026.
Our top 3 picks for taxi drivers
Best overall for drivers
QuickBooks
- Price
- From £10/month (Sole Trader Plus)
- MTD for Income Tax
- Yes
- Free tier
- No (30-day trial)
- Landlords
- Single property only on Sole Trader Plus
QuickBooks tracks mileage with GPS, lets you snap fuel and car wash receipts, and shows a live tax estimate. Its apps are rated 4.7 on iOS and 4.6 on Android. Read our QuickBooks review.
Best for doing everything on your phone
Coconut
- Price
- From £49.99/year (bridging) or £12.99/month (MTD filing)
- MTD for Income Tax
- Yes
- Free tier
- Free to start
- Landlords
- Yes
Coconut is built for sole traders who run their admin from their phone. MTD filing costs £12.99 a month, or £49.99 a year if you only want bridging. Its iOS app is rated 4.7. Coconut pays us nothing.
Best free option
Starling (sole trader account)
- Price
- Free (built into the sole trader account)
- MTD for Income Tax
- Yes
- Free tier
- Yes
- Landlords
- Not stated
Starling's sole trader account has no monthly fee and MTD tools built in. If your platform payouts land in Starling, your income is already in one place. Its app is rated 4.9 on iOS.
How taxi drivers' income and costs work
Ride-hailing income usually arrives as weekly payouts from each app, plus any cash or card fares if you also take private work. Uber, Bolt and similar apps give you statements showing your trips, fares and the fees they take. Download these every week or month and keep them with your records.
Qualifying income means turnover before expenses (GOV.UK). App statements may show both fares and fees, so check with an accountant which figure is your turnover.
Typical expenses to record include:
- Vehicle costs: fuel or charging, servicing, repairs, tyres and car washes, or mileage instead
- Vehicle hire: weekly rental if you hire a licensed car
- Platform fees: commission and service fees shown on app statements
- Licensing: council private hire or taxi licence fees and vehicle checks
- Phone and data: you need both to take jobs
Whether to claim actual car costs or mileage is a big decision. Ask an accountant before your first return.
A worked example
Imran (an illustration, not a real customer) drives for Uber and Bolt in his own licensed car. In the 2025 to 2026 tax year his app statements show £38,000 in fares across both platforms and £7,000 in platform fees. Whichever figure counts as his turnover, £38,000 or £31,000, it is over £30,000.
So Imran joins MTD from 6 April 2027. His first quarter runs to 5 July 2027, and the update is due by 7 August 2027 (GOV.UK). With QuickBooks he can track business miles with GPS and snap fuel receipts at the pump. See how it compares in FreeAgent vs QuickBooks.
What to look for in taxi drivers' accounting software
- MTD for Income Tax support for quarterly updates
- GPS mileage tracking that runs while you drive
- Receipt capture for fuel, cleaning and repairs
- Bank feeds (your bank transactions flow in automatically) to pick up app payouts
- A way to store weekly statements from each platform
- Low cost, because many drivers have simple affairs
Comparing more widely? See our best MTD software for sole traders. If you prefer spreadsheets, 123 Sheets bridges them to HMRC for £19.75 a year. It pays us nothing, but it is the cheapest compliant route we found. See our MTD bridging software guide.
Who should not choose these tools
- Drivers with qualifying income of £20,000 or less, who are currently exempt (GOV.UK).
- Drivers employed through PAYE, because employment income does not count towards MTD.
- Drivers who rarely use a smartphone, who may prefer a spreadsheet with bridging software.
- Drivers whose accountant already files for them, who should ask before buying software.
Frequently asked questions
Do Uber drivers need MTD for Income Tax?
Yes, if you are self-employed and your qualifying income is over the threshold. That is over £30,000 from 6 April 2027 and over £20,000 from 6 April 2028. Qualifying income is your gross self-employment income before expenses.
Which figure on my Uber or Bolt statement is my income?
Qualifying income means turnover before expenses, and app statements may show both fares and the fees taken off. Which figure counts as your turnover can depend on how the platform works, so check with an accountant or HMRC before your first quarterly update.
What is the best mileage tracker for taxi drivers?
QuickBooks lets you track mileage with GPS on your phone from £10 a month, which is why it is our top pick. Compare it with other options in our FreeAgent vs QuickBooks guide.
I drive for Uber and Bolt. Do I add both together?
Yes. If both are self-employment, your income from every platform and any private fares counts towards your qualifying income. Keep each platform's statements and add them all to your records.
Can I use a spreadsheet for MTD as a taxi driver?
Yes, with bridging software that links your spreadsheet to HMRC. 123 Sheets costs £19.75 a year per taxpayer ex VAT. See our MTD bridging software guide.
Should I claim mileage or actual car costs?
There are different ways to claim vehicle costs, and the right one depends on your car and how you use it. The choice can matter for years, so ask an accountant before your first tax return under MTD.
This page is general information, not personal tax, legal or financial advice. Tax rules can change and your situation may differ. For advice on your own affairs, speak to a qualified accountant or tax adviser, or check GOV.UK.