Delivering packages in record time is all in a day's work for the droves of drivers that work for Amazon Flex. Do you want to join the fleet and make a pretty penny in the process?
Click through to learn what you can expect from the service and how to work for Amazon Flex yourself.
What is Amazon Flex?
Amazon is the world's largest online retailer. The company claims that they shipped over 5 billion packages worldwide in 2017. But have you ever wondered how all those packages get shipped to homes so speedily?
The answer boils down to the company's efficient order fulfillment process. Orders you place on Amazon.com route through a nearby fulfillment center where a packer then packs them for delivery. That's where Amazon Flex comes in.
Amazon Flex is a courier service that enables the delivery of packages for Amazon.com, Prime Now, Amazon Fresh and Amazon Restaurants. The service operates in 50 cities and counting.
How does the service work?
Drivers for Amazon's courier service should download the app on their smartphone. They can then use the app to select blocks of time (consisting of days and hours) when they want to deliver for the service.
When the scheduled block begins, drivers head to an Amazon delivery station or a nearby store or restaurant and then mark in the app that they have arrived at the package pick-up location. They then scan and load their packages onto their own car.
The Amazon Flex app provides turn-by-turn directions so that drivers can get to the designated drop-off location without a hitch. When they arrive at the location, they can use the note section in the app or call Amazon customer support for extra help.
What's the process for how to work for Amazon Flex?
The lifeblood of Amazon's delivery service is its drivers. These drivers are not professional chauffeurs by trade. They consist of people in all manner of occupations, from teachers to firefighters. Some drivers work full-time, while others drive part-time to supplement their main income.
Amazon Flex drivers make anywhere from $18 to $25 per hour, on average, according to the company. Since the driver chooses which packages to pick up an deliver, this makes it easy to pick up extra money whenever it's convenient for you.
To learn how to become a courier, go to their website and click "Get Started." Select the city where you want to drive from the listed options, and then click "Next" to be taken through a series of options that ensure you meet the minimum qualifications to become a driver. These include:
- Be 21 or older
- Have a valid driver's license
- Have a mid-sized sedan or a truck with an enclosed bed
- A smartphone with the Android or iOS operating system
- Be able to pass a background check
If you meet the criteria, the website will provide a link to download the Amazon Flex app. Here, you can complete onboarding and sign up for your first delivery block.
What should you know about doing taxes as an Amazon Flex driver?
Amazon Flex drivers are currently classified as independent contractors. This means that they're not entitled to Amazon employee benefits or the same tax withholding to which employees are subjected. You will be responsible for paying your own federal and state income taxes and self-employment tax (Medicare and Social Security tax).
What are some tax deductions?
As a courier driver, you might incur everyday expenses as well as unplanned expenses. Tax deductions can help offset these expenses and lower your overall tax liability. Tax deductions that Amazon Flex drivers can claim include:
- Mileage: You can deduct the mileage you incur from driving for Amazon Flex. Use the standard mileage rate or the actual expense method that factors in the real cost of car expenses such as gasoline and repairs.
- Cellular costs: You can deduct the business-use percentage of your cellular phone and/or service.
- Parking and toll fees: You can deduct the costs associated with using paid parking lots or tollways when in service.
