UnifyOne is an earnings and tax tool built for gig and 1099 workers. It tracks what you actually earn across every app, automatically captures your IRS mileage deductions, and alerts you before quarterly estimated taxes are due — so independent contractors can see their real after-expense income and stay ready for tax season.

Is UnifyOne built for gig and 1099 workers?

Yes. UnifyOne is purpose-built for the 76M+ US gig and 1099 workers — rideshare and delivery drivers, couriers, resellers, and independent contractors. It consolidates earnings across the apps you work, calculates your after-expense net income, and keeps your self-employment tax estimates on track.

How does UnifyOne track mileage and tax deductions?

UnifyOne's Tax Autopilot captures your mileage and applies the current IRS standard mileage rate, keeping a running year-to-date deduction total. It also estimates your quarterly self-employment taxes (Form 1040-ES) and alerts you before each estimated-tax deadline so you are never caught off guard.

GigIQ is UnifyOne's shift intelligence. It looks at your earnings history to show which hours, zones, and platforms actually pay the most after expenses, so you can plan your shifts around your highest-earning opportunities instead of guessing.

What is the Money Manager?

The Money Manager brings budgeting, goal tracking, and earnings forecasts together in one place, connected to your real gig income. It helps you forecast cash flow and plan spending around the irregular pay schedule that comes with gig and 1099 work.

Kai is UnifyOne's built-in AI sidekick. You can ask Kai about your earnings, mileage deductions, and quarterly tax estimates, and get answers grounded in your own data rather than generic benchmarks.

How much does UnifyOne cost?

UnifyOne has two plans: Free ($0) with earnings tracking, IRS mileage capture, quarterly estimated-tax alerts, and GigIQ shift insights; and Pro ($4.99/month) which adds the full Money Manager, advanced GigIQ intelligence, and Kai, your AI sidekick.

Is my financial data secure?

Yes. UnifyOne uses TLS encryption in transit and AES-256 at rest, with strict data isolation enforced at the database layer. Your financial data is never sold to third parties.

How do I get started with UnifyOne?

Sign up for free at 1commerce.online — no credit card required. Connect the apps you work, let UnifyOne read your earnings history, and you will immediately see your consolidated income, mileage deductions, and quarterly tax estimates.

Gig Finance Guide

Retirement Accounts for Gig Workers

Gig platforms don't offer a 401(k) match — as an independent contractor, your retirement is entirely on you. The upside: the self-employed have access to some of the most generous tax-advantaged accounts available, often letting you save far more than an employee can. Here are the main options and how to pick one.

← Part of Financial Intelligence for Gig Workers

SEP-IRA

Simplest to open; contribute a percentage of net self-employment income.

Solo 401(k)

Highest potential contributions; lets you save as both 'employee' and 'employer'.

Traditional IRA

Pre-tax contributions that may lower this year's taxable income.

Roth IRA

After-tax contributions that grow and withdraw tax-free in retirement.

The SEP-IRA

A SEP-IRA (Simplified Employee Pension) is the easiest self-employed retirement account to set up — most brokerages open one for free in minutes. You contribute a percentage of your net self-employment earnings, up to an annual IRS cap, and contributions are generally tax-deductible, lowering your taxable income.

It's a strong fit for solo gig workers who want simplicity and flexible, year-to-year contributions (you can skip a lean year). Because the limit is tied to a percentage of net earnings, confirm the current cap and percentage with the IRS before contributing.

The Solo 401(k)

A Solo 401(k) (also called an individual 401(k)) is for self-employed people with no employees. It usually allows the largest total contribution because you contribute both as the 'employee' (an elective deferral) and as the 'employer' (a profit-sharing contribution) — and many providers offer a Roth option for the employee portion.

It takes a bit more paperwork than a SEP-IRA and has an annual deadline to establish it, but for higher-earning gig workers it can shelter substantially more income. Confirm current contribution limits and deadlines with the IRS or your plan provider.

Traditional vs Roth IRAs

Anyone with earned income can also use a Traditional or Roth IRA, on their own or alongside a SEP/Solo 401(k). A Traditional IRA may give you a deduction now and is taxed on withdrawal; a Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars and grows tax-free, with qualified withdrawals tax-free in retirement.

IRAs have lower annual limits than SEP-IRAs or Solo 401(k)s, and Roth IRAs have income eligibility limits. They're a good starting point if you're newer to gig work or saving smaller amounts. Check current limits and income phase-outs with the IRS.

How to choose

If you want maximum simplicity, a SEP-IRA is hard to beat. If you're earning more and want to shelter the most income (or want a Roth option), a Solo 401(k) usually wins. If you're just getting started, a Roth IRA is a flexible first account. Many gig workers combine an IRA with a SEP or Solo 401(k).

Whatever you choose, contributing even a small, steady percentage of each payout — alongside your tax set-aside — builds the retirement an employer would otherwise help fund. A tax professional or fee-only advisor can help you pick based on your numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Can gig workers open a 401(k)?

Yes — a Solo 401(k) (individual 401(k)) is designed for self-employed people with no employees. You contribute as both employee and employer, which usually allows the largest total contribution of any self-employed plan. Confirm current limits with the IRS or your plan provider.

SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) — which is better for gig workers?

A SEP-IRA is simpler and great for flexible, occasional contributions. A Solo 401(k) usually allows higher total contributions and often a Roth option, but involves more paperwork. Higher earners who want to shelter the most income often prefer the Solo 401(k); confirm limits with the IRS.

How much can a gig worker contribute to retirement?

Limits depend on the account type and your net self-employment earnings, and the IRS adjusts them annually. SEP-IRAs and Solo 401(k)s allow much more than IRAs. Always check the current year's limits on IRS.gov rather than relying on an older figure.

Do retirement contributions lower my gig taxes?

Often, yes. Contributions to a SEP-IRA, Traditional IRA, or the pre-tax portion of a Solo 401(k) are generally deductible and can lower your taxable income. Roth contributions are not deductible but grow tax-free. The deduction doesn't reduce the 15.3% self-employment tax, only income tax.

When do I have to set up a gig-worker retirement account?

Deadlines vary by account: SEP-IRAs can often be opened and funded up to your tax-filing deadline (including extensions), while a Solo 401(k) generally must be established by year-end to defer that year's income. Confirm the current deadlines with the IRS or your provider.

Authoritative resources

Helpful calculators

Tax Set-Aside Calculator →Self-Employment Tax Calculator →

More gig finance guides

Health insurance →Bookkeeping →Budgeting irregular income →Emergency fund →Paying off debt →SEP-IRA vs Solo 401(k) →LLC vs sole prop →Gig + a W-2 job →Multi-state gig work →First-year tax checklist →Self-employment tax explained →Home office deduction →Common tax mistakes →Roth IRA →

Run your whole gig business in one place

UnifyOne tracks your earnings, expenses, mileage, and tax set-aside across every platform — so taxes, budgeting, and planning all work from one set of numbers.

Start free →Gig worker taxes guide

This is educational information, not financial, tax, or investment advice. Rules and dollar limits change yearly — confirm current details with the IRS, HealthCare.gov, or a qualified professional for your situation.