About
Stride Tax is a comprehensive financial management app built specifically for independent workers, freelancers, and gig economy participants. The app is completely free to download and use, offering a powerful suite of tools that help self-employed individuals maximize tax savings and minimize administrative overhead. The automatic mileage tracker detects when you're driving and logs work trips seamlessly, ensuring every deductible mile is captured. Users can securely connect their bank accounts via Plaid to automatically categorize expenses and track income, removing the burden of manual data entry. When tax season arrives, Stride generates audit-proof, IRS-ready expense reports that can be handed directly to an accountant or uploaded to TurboTax. Beyond taxes, Stride provides access to everyday discounts and savings opportunities to help independent workers reduce daily costs. In-app guides and a dedicated support team — including tax experts available year-round — help users confidently navigate the financial complexities of self-employment. Stride also serves as an insurance marketplace, helping freelancers find and enroll in health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans at competitive rates with no hidden fees. Reviewed by over 40,000 independent workers, Stride is a trusted all-in-one financial companion for anyone working for themselves.
Key Features
- Automatic Mileage Tracking: Detects when you're driving and automatically logs work trips, with reminders to ensure no deductible mile goes uncounted.
- Expense & Income Tracking: Securely connect your bank account via Plaid to automatically categorize expenses and monitor income throughout the year.
- IRS-Ready Expense Reports: Generates audit-proof expense reports you can hand directly to an accountant or upload to TurboTax for seamless tax filing.
- Automatic Tax Deduction Discovery: Scans logged mileage and expenses to automatically surface eligible tax write-offs, maximizing your refund with minimal effort.
- Insurance Marketplace: Browse and enroll in health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans tailored for independent workers, with no hidden fees and dedicated advisor support.
Use Cases
- Rideshare and delivery drivers automatically logging every work mile to maximize mileage tax deductions at year-end
- Freelancers and consultants tracking business expenses and income throughout the year to reduce tax season stress
- Self-employed individuals generating IRS-ready expense reports to hand off to their accountant or upload to TurboTax
- Gig workers without employer benefits finding and enrolling in affordable health, dental, and vision insurance plans
- Independent contractors maintaining audit-proof financial records with automatic categorization and receipt management
Pros
- Completely Free Core App: The mileage tracking, expense logging, and tax reporting features are free with no hidden costs, making it accessible to all independent workers.
- Hands-Free Automation: Automatic mileage detection and bank account integration eliminate manual data entry, saving hours of administrative work each year.
- Year-Round Expert Support: Tax experts and insurance advisors are available beyond tax season, offering ongoing guidance for self-employment financial questions.
- All-in-One Platform: Combines tax tracking, mileage logging, expense management, and insurance enrollment into a single app purpose-built for freelancers.
Cons
- No Direct Tax Filing: Stride cannot file taxes directly — users must export reports and complete filing through a separate service like TurboTax or a CPA.
- Insurance Costs Apply Separately: While the app itself is free, enrolling in insurance plans through Stride requires paying the carrier's plan premium.
- Designed Only for Independent Workers: The app is tailored specifically to freelancers and gig workers, making it less suitable for traditional employees or employers managing payroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stride Tax free to use?
Yes, the Stride app is completely free to download and use. If you choose to enroll in an insurance plan through Stride, you only pay the carrier's plan cost — there are no hidden fees or markups.
Can I file my taxes directly through Stride?
No, Stride does not support direct tax filing. However, it generates IRS-ready expense reports that you can provide to an accountant or upload directly to TurboTax to complete your return.
How does Stride's automatic mileage tracking work?
Stride detects when you're driving and automatically logs your trips. You can set reminders to review and categorize trips, and every recorded work mile contributes to your tax deductions.
Where can I download the Stride app?
Stride is available on both the Apple App Store for iOS devices and the Google Play Store for Android devices.
Can I connect my bank account to Stride?
Yes. Stride uses Plaid to securely link your bank account in four simple steps within the app. Once connected, Stride automatically tracks your expenses and income for tax purposes.
