Are Uber/Grab drivers making decent income?

[newyorker88]

Originally Posted by SiaSuay

Don't you know that the government is now testing out driverless taxis ?

I think it is buses, not taxis. IMHO, cannot make it for cars. Computers lack the reflex of a human n traffic conditions are interactions between humans, now u try to make a program that can interact w humans? On the road? I don't see any possibility yet. Humans interaction with each other so complicated already, u don't need to add in a machine to the chaos on the roads

[Dolberg]

Originally Posted by arsenal168

老李禁赌场，小李开赌场。

老李抓霸王车，小李开放霸王车。

老李公开赞习近平，小李和习近平交恶。

看来是朽木不可雕。

唉....

Singapore future bleak bleak.

Agreed.... 前途无亮

[arsenal168]

[arsenal168]

Trying to pick up tourists? Really?

[Ayamay]

Originally Posted by Dolberg

Agreed.... 前途无亮

Hahaa good one!

[arsenal168]

Originally Posted by newyorker88

I think it is buses, not taxis. IMHO, cannot make it for cars. Computers lack the reflex of a human n traffic conditions are interactions between humans, now u try to make a program that can interact w humans? On the road? I don't see any possibility yet. Humans interaction with each other so complicated already, u don't need to add in a machine to the chaos on the roads

Agreed maybe driverless for bus is feasible.

After all buses have fixed routes.

[arsenal168]

[Human taxi driver vs Driverless taxi]

Call booking, from Point A to Point B.

Scenario 1:

Uncle: Mr xx, to AXA Tower?
Pax: Yes Uncle, but can u stop at a nearby ATM? I need to withdraw some cash.
Uncle: Sure.

AI: Mr xx, destination AXA Tower.
Pax: Yes, but can u stop at a nearby ATM? I need to withdraw some cash.
AI: ......Destination AXA Tower.
Pax: WTF!

Senario 2
Uncle: Mr xx, to Boat Quay?
Pax: Yes Uncle, but can u stop at a nearby petrol kiosk? I need to use the toilet.
Uncle: Sure.

AI: Mr xx, destination Boat Quay.
Pax: Yes, but can u stop at a nearby petrol kiosk. I need to use the toilet. Urgent!
AI: ......Destination Boat Quay.
Pax: WTF!!

😆🤣😂

[arsenal168]

Originally Posted by Sammyboy RSS Feed

An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

.

A passenger getting off a private-hire car at the taxi stand of International Plaza. PHOTO: ST FILE


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Taxman calls on Grab, Uber drivers



Christopher Tan, Senior Transport Correspondent


Ride-hailing firms working with Iras to enable those driving for them to e-file their returns




Dodging the taxman will become more difficult in the gig economy, as going cashless allows for better electronic tracking of payments. And the taxman has his sights next on Uber and Grab drivers.

The Sunday Times understands that the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) has approached the two ride-hailing firms, which have amassed over 40,000 drivers since arriving here in 2013, to work out an arrangement for the drivers to file their tax returns automatically. Doing so also limits their ability to underdeclare earnings.

Unlike cabbies' earnings, the takings of ride-hailing drivers are captured by their respective phone apps.


An Iras spokesman said: "To simplify tax filing and ease compliance for our taxpayers, Iras continually seeks ways to explore initiatives with third parties and platform providers to automate the transmission of income information directly into our tax systems."

She said the authority has done the same for property and insurance agencies. "Likewise, Iras is collaborating with Uber and Grab to make it more convenient for drivers with pre-filling of their income information in their electronic tax form."


When e-filing is available, the tens of thousands of Uber and Grab drivers will be unable to avoid paying taxes or under-declaring what they earn.


Driver Elliot Lin, 32, said: "If you have to pay, you have to pay."

Mr Lin said he is driving part-time, and the extra income he draws from driving would mean "an incremental tax increase of less than $100".

Not so for others. A 50-year-old who drives for Grab and Uber and claims to be drawing around $9,000 a month said: "This is going to be a problem. Not just for me. I think a lot of drivers will have an issue. I don't think self-employed people declare their full income.

"I'm very shocked. I may go back to driving taxis."

While there is no similar arrangement for cabbies - who accept mostly cash fares - ST understands that once Singapore goes cashless, taxing taxi drivers according to their actual take-home pay should become more feasible.

Likewise, hawkers, market stallholders and other business people may not be able to dodge the taxman once cashless payments become the norm.

Iras is also reaching out to others in the so-called "sharing economy", which includes people who rent out their homes - fully or partly - via platforms such as Airbnb. Iras said it has made available information on its website on "the taxable income of those in sharing economy".

As for Uber and Grab themselves, Iras said companies are liable for corporate tax on any income just like any other company operating in Singapore. Both Uber and Grab said they were working to comply with Iras' requests.

Singapore University of Social Sciences economist Walter Theseira said: "It's only fair that people pay the same income taxes regardless of whether the money was earned through self-employment or wage employment."

He added that it was more important to look at Central Provident Fund contributions. "Self-employment through private-hire or taxi-driving is excessively attractive financially because drivers do not have to pay CPF contributions.

"This raises their take-home earnings significantly... While this may appear 'good' in the short run, it puts the drivers at risk of not being able to finance their homes, or support themselves in retirement," he said.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on September 17, 2017, with the headline 'Uber, Grab drivers in taxman's sights'.



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http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...taxmans-sights


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The reaction of the 50 year old driver puzzled me.

He claimed he makes $9000 a month as a Uber driver.

Now because of IRAS' move, he is shocked & consider going back to driving taxi.

Q1) So he has been false reporting his previous income as a taxi-driver & IRAS turned a blind eye or was unable to bust him & many other taxi Drivers?

Q2) So it is better to be a 3-4K taxi driver evading tax compared to a 9K Uber driver paying honest tax?
After tax, he will still have 7-8K left(or maybe more).
Still better than a 3-4K taxi driver, isn't it?

Cannot understand his logic..

[Grounded Eagle]

Originally Posted by arsenal168

The reaction of the 50 year old driver puzzled me.

He claimed he makes $9000 a month as a Uber driver.

Now because of IRAS' move, he is shocked & consider going back to driving taxi.

Q1) So he has been false reporting his previous income as a taxi-driver & IRAS turned a blind eye or was unable to bust him & many other taxi Drivers?

Q2) So it is better to be a 3-4K taxi driver evading tax compared to a 9K Uber driver paying honest tax?
After tax, he will still have 7-8K left(or maybe more).
Still better than a 3-4K taxi driver, isn't it?

Cannot understand his logic..

He has to pay income to IRAS ...... and also contribute to CPF medisave 8% of his annual income to renew his PHV license.

[Robertson26]

Originally Posted by arsenal168

The reaction of the 50 year old driver puzzled me.

He claimed he makes $9000 a month as a Uber driver.

Now because of IRAS' move, he is shocked & consider going back to driving taxi.

Q1) So he has been false reporting his previous income as a taxi-driver & IRAS turned a blind eye or was unable to bust him & many other taxi Drivers?

Q2) So it is better to be a 3-4K taxi driver evading tax compared to a 9K Uber driver paying honest tax?
After tax, he will still have 7-8K left(or maybe more).
Still better than a 3-4K taxi driver, isn't it?

Cannot understand his logic..

Didn't know they can earn so much .

[DTL2]

Originally Posted by Robertson26

Didn't know they can earn so much .

Didn't know that too .

[arsenal168]

Originally Posted by DTL2

Didn't know that too .

Just take his words with a pinch of salt.

Already said can't understand his logic.

Indirectly saying his IQ not very high.

应该是"大炮仙" 🤣🤣

[hotguy2468]

Originally Posted by Robertson26

Didn't know they can earn so much .

It's gross earnings lah.... after deductions for rental, petrol, fees etc I think left take home only about 3K - 5K. I was an Uber driver too and the good times were 2-3 yrs ago..... now with all the new regulations and monitoring Uber driver earnings are on par or worse than taxi drivers. Many Uber drivers who jumped ship are now going back to driving taxis. On hindsight I was fortunate that LTA did not approve me to attend the course to obtain the PHV license.

It's much more lucrative to be a pawangchia driver in JB doing cross border trips with so many daytrippers going to JB and stranded without transport coming back..... especially the PRs and tourists who often assume that the SBS / CWT buses run 24 hrs.... lol

[HeadOn]

Originally Posted by hotguy2468

It's gross earnings lah.... after deductions for rental, petrol, fees etc I think left take home only about 3K - 5K. I was an Uber driver too and the good times were 2-3 yrs ago..... now with all the new regulations and monitoring Uber driver earnings are on par or worse than taxi drivers. Many Uber drivers who jumped ship are now going back to driving taxis. On hindsight I was fortunate that LTA did not approve me to attend the course to obtain the PHV license.

I think if u r driving ur own car, should b able to make a bit more

[hotguy2468]

Originally Posted by HeadOn

I think if u r driving ur own car, should b able to make a bit more

But you need to convert your insurance and the premium is much much more + you need to factor in the vehicle maintenance costs as your mileage will definitely skyrocket and replacement parts necessary due to wear n tear...... in the long run not worth using your own vehicle if driving fulltime... better to use a rental vehicle for Uber and keep your own vehicle as spare in case of accident or maintenance.