General Questions

Q: What is icarU?

A: icarU is a community-based rideshare and favor-exchange platform designed for trusted circles — friends, family, coworkers, and local groups. You can share rides, run errands, or help each other, and settle fairly using Carma points (a fairness tracker) or cash if preferred.

Q: Why icarU?

• Do you feel ride-share apps charge too much for every ride?

• Do you feel you are spending too much on ride-share?

• Frustrated by last-minute driver cancellations or endless wait times?

• Not comfortable riding with strangers - or sending your loved one with them?

• Worries about letting unknown people know you’re away on vacation?

  icarU is the Answer. It connects you with people you know - friends, family, neighbors, and communities you trust. You can pay by Carma and return the favor. Or compensate your ride with reasonable $ payment.

Q: How is icarU different from Uber or Lyft?

A: Uber and Lyft connect you with strangers and charge platform fees, tips, and taxes. icarU enables you to connect with people you know and trust within private circles — with no commissions or hidden charges.

Q: What are Carma points?

A: Carma is icarU’s way of tracking fairness and reciprocity inside your circle. Each circle can define its own Carma value (for example, 1 Mile ≈ 1 Carma; 1 Carma ≈ $2 ).

Q: Can I use icarU for business travel?

A: Yes. If you use icarU for work trips, you can log your ride, pay your circle member in cash, and submit the record for reimbursement — just like any Uber or taxi fare. Always follow your employer’s reimbursement policies.

Q: If my family member drives me for a work trip, is that a conflict of interest?

A: Usually not. If the payment is reasonable and transparent, and you submit it through your normal reimbursement process, it’s acceptable.

Q: Can I really avoid paying taxes using icarU?

A: No. icarU does not help users avoid taxes. We do not provide tax advice, and users are responsible for reporting and complying with applicable tax laws.

Q: Who sets the Carma value?

A: Buy default icarU sets 1 Mile = 1 Carma; 1 Carma =$2. Circle’s admin can change the default values. The values are used for Carma point and $ value estimation.

Q: Is my data safe?

A: Yes. icarU stores minimal data required for operation and does not sell or share user information.

Carma and Cash Settlement

Q: How can I settle in cash if icarU doesn’t process payments?

A: You can settle externally using your preferred payment app — like Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, or physical cash.

Q: When ride completes, who decides whether to use Carma or cash?

A: By default, icarU records the ride in Carma automatically after ~ 2 hours of ride completion. If both agree to settle in cash, the rider can mark it as settled in $ before icarU transfer Carma.

Taxes, Reimbursements, and Legal Topics

Q: Does icarU send tax forms like 1099-K?

A: No. icarU doesn’t process payments, so it doesn’t issue tax forms. If you receive substantial cash payments through other apps, they may issue 1099-K forms per IRS rules.

Q: Who is responsible for tax compliance?

A: Each user is responsible for reporting and paying taxes on their own income, if applicable.

Disclaimer and Legal Notice

No Financial Services - icarU is not a money transmitter, bank, or financial institution. All monetary settlements occur outside the platform directly between users.

No Tax or Legal Advice - icarU does not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. Users must determine any tax obligations themselves.

Fairness and Responsibility - All interactions on icarU are between users who voluntarily join trusted circles. icarU does not mediate disputes or guarantee payments.

Business Use and Reimbursement - Reimbursement eligibility for business rides depends on employer policies. icarU provides records for reference only.

Compliance - By using icarU, you agree to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. icarU is intended for private, non-commercial use among trusted circles.