Driver Tax Estimator
Self-employment tax calculator with mileage deduction comparison.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1.Enter your annual gross earnings from gig work
- 2.Add your total business miles driven
- 3.Enter actual vehicle expenses for comparison
- 4.See which deduction method saves more
Tax Tips for Gig Drivers
Track Every Mile: Use apps like Stride, Everlance, or Gridwise to automatically track mileage. The IRS expects a contemporaneous log, so do not try to reconstruct mileage at tax time.
Separate Bank Account: A separate checking account for gig income makes income and expense tracking easier and keeps your records cleaner.
Set Aside for Taxes: Put 25-30% of net earnings in a savings account for taxes. That prevents a painful surprise at tax time.
Common Questions
What taxes do gig drivers pay?
Gig drivers pay self-employment tax (15.3% for Social Security and Medicare) plus federal and state income tax. The total tax burden is typically 25-35% of net profit, though the mileage deduction significantly reduces taxable income.
Should I use mileage or actual expenses?
Most gig drivers benefit from the standard mileage deduction ($0.725/mile for 2026). Actual expenses method may be better if you drive a very fuel-efficient car with low costs. You can only choose one method per year.
Do I need to pay quarterly estimated taxes?
If you expect to owe $1,000+ in taxes for the year, you should make quarterly estimated payments (April 15, June 15, Sept 15, Jan 15). Failure to do so may result in underpayment penalties.
What can I deduct as a gig driver?
Mileage (or actual vehicle expenses), phone data plan (business %), tolls and parking, car washes, insulated bags, phone mounts, and other supplies. Keep receipts and use a tracking app like Stride.
Methodology & Limits
How it works
This calculator calculates a driving & delivery scenario from your inputs, then surfaces the result as decision-oriented numbers.
Assumptions
Uses current tax rates, vehicle costs assumptions where relevant.
Use it as a screen
Treat the output as a planning estimate. Share the current scenario URL when you want to revisit or compare assumptions. Validate the numbers with real payouts, costs, deadlines, and local rules before committing money.
Next action
Keep Going
Use your result as the starting point for one of these next calculators.
Shift Profitability Simulator
Model a real shift with dead time, dead miles, and all costs. See your true net hourly.
Open toolRideshare Earnings Calculator
Calculate true earnings for Uber and Lyft after all vehicle costs and taxes.
Open toolDelivery Earnings Calculator
DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, and more. Factor in tips, mileage, and time.
Open toolVehicle Cost Calculator
True cost of using your vehicle for gig work including depreciation and maintenance.
Open tool