Turo Host Taxes in Florida - 2025 Guide

Updated for 2025 (Filing 2024 Taxes)

Is Turo Host income taxable in Florida?

Yes, even though Florida doesn’t have a state income tax, income earned as a Turo host is absolutely taxable at the federal level. The IRS considers your Turo earnings as self-employment income. This means you’ll report your profits (income minus expenses) on Schedule C (Profit or Loss From Business), which is filed along with your Form 1040. You'll need to track all income received through the Turo platform.

Florida Specifics: Because Florida has no state income tax, you won’t file a state income tax return related to your Turo income. However, the federal tax implications still apply, and it’s crucial to accurately report your earnings to avoid penalties.

Top Tax Write-offs for Turo Hosts

As a Turo host, you can significantly reduce your tax liability by claiming eligible business expenses. Here are some key deductions:

• Mileage: You can deduct the business portion of your vehicle’s mileage. For 2024, the standard mileage rate is 67 cents per mile (verify the final official rate from the IRS at IRS.gov). Keep a detailed mileage log documenting each trip for rental purposes.
• Vehicle Expenses (Actual Expense Method): Instead of mileage, you can deduct actual expenses like gas, oil changes, repairs, maintenance, tires, and vehicle registration fees. You'll need to calculate the percentage of time the vehicle is used for Turo versus personal use.
• Cleaning & Detailing: Costs associated with cleaning and detailing your vehicle between rentals are deductible. Keep receipts!
• Turo Fees & Software: The fees you pay to Turo, as well as any software or subscription costs directly related to managing your Turo business (e.g., vehicle tracking apps, accounting software) are deductible.

The 15.3% Self-Employment Tax Surprise

Many first-time Turo hosts are surprised by self-employment tax. When you work for an employer, they pay half of your Social Security and Medicare taxes. As a self-employed individual, you’re responsible for both the employer and employee portions. This combined rate is 15.3% (12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare).

You’ll calculate this tax on Schedule SE (Self-Employment Tax). However, you only pay self-employment tax on 92.35% of your net earnings (your profit after deducting business expenses). There's also a limit to the amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax – for 2024, it’s $168,600. You won’t pay Social Security tax on earnings above that amount, but the Medicare tax applies to all earnings.

Closing Tip for Florida Residents

While you benefit from Florida’s lack of state income tax, diligent record-keeping is paramount for maximizing your federal tax savings as a Turo host. Maintain detailed records of all income and expenses, and consider consulting with a qualified tax professional (like myself!) to ensure you’re taking advantage of all applicable deductions and complying with IRS regulations. Proactive tax planning can save you significant money and stress during tax season.