Stride

**Stride App User Guide** Welcome to Stride, your free mileage and tax tracker designed to help independent workers manage their business expenses and maximize tax savings. This guide will walk you through how to use the Stride app effectively. ### 1. **Getting Started** **Download and Install the App:** - Visit the App Store or Google Play Store and search for "Stride." - Download and install the app on your smartphone. **Create an Account:** - Open the Stride app and tap “Sign Up.” - Enter your email address and create a password, or sign in using your Google or Apple account. - Complete your profile by entering basic information about your work. ### 2. **Tracking Mileage** **Start Tracking Your Miles:** - On the home screen, tap “Start Tracking” when you begin driving for work. - Stride will automatically use GPS to track your mileage. - To stop tracking, tap “Stop Tracking” when you’ve completed your trip. **Set Up Mileage Reminders:** - Go to “Settings” and enable notifications to remind you to start tracking at specific times. **View Your Mileage Logs:** - Tap on “Mileage” to view a log of your tracked miles. Stride organizes your trips into an IRS-ready format, making it easy to see how much you’ve saved on taxes. ### 3. **Logging Expenses** **Add Business Expenses:** - On the main dashboard, tap “Add Expense.” - Select the category that best fits your expense (e.g., car maintenance, meals, supplies). - Enter the amount and any additional details, such as the date and description, then save the expense. **Integrate Your Bank Account:** - To automatically import expenses, go to “Settings” and link your bank account. - Stride will help you identify deductible expenses and add them to your logs. **View and Manage Expenses:** - Tap on “Expenses” to see all your logged expenses. Stride provides in-app guidance on which expenses are deductible, helping you maximize your tax savings. ### 4. **Preparing for Tax Filing** **Generate an IRS-Ready Tax Report:** - When you’re ready to file your taxes, go to the “Tax Report” section. - Stride will generate a comprehensive report that includes all your tracked mileage and expenses. - You can export this report to use with tax filing software, e-file, or provide it to your accountant. **Audit-Proof Your Taxes:** - Stride ensures that your records are detailed and organized in an IRS-compliant format, reducing the risk of an audit. ### 5. **Maximizing Tax Deductions** **Discover Potential Write-Offs:** - As you log expenses, Stride will suggest potential tax deductions based on your work. - Review these suggestions in the “Expenses” section to ensure you’re not missing out on savings. **Monitor Your Savings:** - Check the “Savings” section to see an estimate of how much you’ve saved on taxes by using Stride. The app updates this figure as you track mileage and log expenses. ### 6. **Additional Features** **Use Stride for Different Professions:** - Stride is designed for a wide range of independent workers, including rideshare drivers, freelancers, consultants, and more. - Customize your expense categories and tracking preferences based on your specific work needs. **Get Support:** - If you need help, access the “Help Center” in the app for FAQs and tips. - For further assistance, contact Stride’s customer support through the app. ### 7. **Account Settings** **Update Personal Information:** - Go to “Settings” to update your profile, adjust notifications, and manage your linked accounts. **Secure Your Account:** - Enable biometric login (fingerprint or face recognition) in “Settings” for added security. With this guide, you’re ready to take full advantage of Stride’s features to track your business miles, log expenses, and maximize your tax savings effortlessly. Enjoy managing your independent work with ease using Stride.