1) Who is the Gig Log App designed for?
This app is purpose-built for gig economy riders and drivers, including those on Uber, DoorDash, Lyft, Amazon Flex, and similar platforms. It is also highly suitable for self-drive logistics operators, taxi drivers, and any independent contractor who needs to track daily business mileage and expenses. It is designed by a rider, for riders, to solve the exact pain points we face daily.

2) How does the app help me with my taxes?
We make it incredibly easy to track your mileage, expenses, and income. When tax season arrives, the app automatically generates a Profit & Loss (P&L) statement and a Balance Sheet. It even calculates potential deductions (like depreciation) to maximize your tax savings. All you need to do is use these figures for your Schedule C or equivalent e-Filing!

3) Is this app endorsed by the IRS?
We are a dedicated recording tool designed with the best current tax knowledge. However, we are not an official tax authority, and the app does not replace professional financial advice. We strongly advise consulting with your CPA or tax agent before submitting your tax return. Ultimately, the user is solely responsible for their tax filings.

4) How long do I need to keep records?
Under IRS guidelines, you generally need to keep tax-related records and receipts for 3 to 7 years. (Similarly, agencies like the ATO or MY LHDN require 5 to 7 years). While our app securely locks digital copies of your daily receipts, external documents should be stored safely in a cloud drive alongside your exported Gig Log App backup files.

5) Why do I need an Odometer reading for food delivery?
Tax authorities require a continuous and verifiable mileage log to prove business usage. Simply guessing the distance is not accepted in an audit. Recording start and end odometer readings provides concrete proof of your work trips.

6) What is Depreciation / Capital Allowance?
Depreciation (or Capital Allowance in countries like Australia and Malaysia) is the legal way to deduct the purchase price of your business assets over several years. Instead of claiming a vehicle’s full price in one year, these rules allow you to claim a set percentage annually.

7) Can I claim my Smartphone as a deduction?
Yes! Smartphones generally fall under deductible business equipment. However, the IRS requires you to apportion the claim based strictly on business usage. Our calculator handles this by factoring in your active work days.

8) Why doesn’t the app use live GPS tracking?

Battery & Device Health: Constant GPS causes severe battery drain and overheating.

True Offline Reliability: Gig Log App is built as an “offline-first” tool. If you are in a dead zone, GPS fails.

Accuracy: If you forget to press Start/End on a tracker, your route is ruined. We give you manual input for 100% accuracy, maximum privacy, and lower subscription fees.

9) Why doesn’t the app auto-scan receipts (OCR)?
Highly accurate OCR systems are expensive, and cheap ones are notoriously inaccurate. Instead, we designed a streamlined manual process: type the amount, select the category, and snap a photo. It takes less than 10 seconds and guarantees complete accuracy.

10) Why is Auto-Calc free, but Exporting costs money?
We believe daily tracking should be frictionless. However, generating structured, IRS/ATO-ready reports and securely backing up data requires extensive development. Charging a small subscription allows us to keep the servers running and update the app.

11) How often should I back up my data?
Because Gig Log App runs entirely locally on your phone for maximum data privacy, we recommend exporting your backup ZIP file to Google Drive or iCloud once a month. Since we do not hold your data on our servers, we cannot restore it if your phone breaks. Monthly backups are your best protection.

12) Why don’t you offer a Lifetime Subscription?
Tax laws and regulations change constantly, requiring continuous app updates. To ensure Cypher Novus PLT can keep the app compliant and bug-free, we rely on a subscription model.

13) I’m subscribing mid-year. How do I complete my records?

Option 1 (Lump Sum): Calculate total income/expenses from previous months and enter them as a single bulk entry. Track daily moving forward.

Option 2 (Combine Later): Track daily now, and combine your exported Excel data with your previous manual records during tax season. Audit Note: If using the Lump Sum method, you are still required to retain all original source documents (receipts, statements) from those missing months.

14) How do I cancel my subscription or get a refund?
You can cancel anytime by tapping “Manage” on the Settings Screen, which will take you to your App Store subscriptions. Because billing is handled securely by Google/Apple, we cannot process direct refunds. Please contact the respective store’s support for refund requests