So, you’ve made the decision. You’re ready to leave the gig economy behind and deactivate your accounts for good. Congratulations! This is a huge step toward a new chapter.
But before you hit that “delete account” button, there’s crucial homework to do. Rushing the process can lead to lost money, tax headaches, and unnecessary stress down the road. Think of this as your official gig economy exit interview—a strategic checklist to ensure you leave organized, paid, and prepared for what’s next.
Here are the 5 essential things you must do before you deactivate.
1. Secure Your Financial Records (Download Everything!)
Once your account is deactivated or deleted, you will likely lose access to your historical data. This is the most important step.
- Download All Tax Documents: This includes your 1099-NEC forms for every year you worked. You are required to keep these for your tax records.
- Export Your Earnings History: Download CSV or PDF summaries of your earnings by week, month, and year. This is vital for personal finance tracking, loan applications, or proving income.
- Where to Find It: Look for sections like “Tax Information,” “Earnings Statements,” or “History” in your driver app or the platform’s website.
2. Perform a Final Cash-Out
Don’t leave money on the table! Platforms usually have a minimum balance required for an instant cash-out.
- Initiate a Final Payout: Ensure your bank account information is correct and transfer any remaining balance to your account.
- Beware of Processing Times: Some platforms issue a final paycheck via direct deposit that may take a few business days to process. Make sure this clears before fully deactivating.
- Check for Bonuses: Ensure any pending bonuses or adjustments have been paid out.
3. Consider Your Tax Responsibilities
Your tax obligations don’t end when you stop driving. Plan ahead for the coming tax season.
- Track Your Mileage Deduction: Your final mileage log is a powerful deduction. Note your odometer reading on your last day to accurately calculate your business miles for the year.
- Organize Receipts: Gather receipts for any car repairs, phone bills, or other work-related expenses incurred during the year. These are deductible.
- Mark Your Calendar: Remember you’ll need to file taxes next April for the income you earned this year, even if you deactivate today.
4. Manage Your Ratings and References (If Applicable)
This is an often-overlooked strategic step.
- Request Feedback: If you used a platform like TaskRabbit or Rover where reviews matter, consider politely asking your best repeat clients for a written testimonial or LinkedIn recommendation before you go. This can be valuable for your resume.
- Screen Capture: Take screenshots of your high ratings and positive reviews. These can serve as proof of your work ethic and reliability for future employers.
5. Plan Your “What’s Next”
Deactivation is an ending, but it’s also a beginning. Use this momentum.
- Update Your Resume: Frame your gig work experience with powerful action verbs. Highlight skills like logistics, customer service, time management, and independent problem-solving.
- Explore Health Insurance: If you relied on gig work, research new health insurance options through the Marketplace (Healthcare.gov), a new employer, or a spouse’s plan.
- Line Up New Work: Ideally, have your next job or income source secured before you fully exit. This makes the financial transition seamless.
Ready to Make Your Exit Official?
Completing this checklist protects you and sets you up for success. But we know that actually navigating each app’s menus to download documents and initiate deactivation is a tedious and time-consuming chore.
That’s where we come in. The Reactivation Support can handle the frustrating technical process of deactivation for you, after you’ve checked these important boxes. We save you the hassle of dealing with unresponsive support and hidden menus, giving you a clean and confirmed break.
➡️ Do the prep work, and let us handle the paperwork. Learn how our deactivation service works here.