How to file and pay DoorDash taxes in 2026

Self-employment tax

Self-employment tax on DoorDash earnings is 15.3% of 92.35% of your profit, computed on Schedule SE.² Self-employment tax covers the Social Security and Medicare tax that an employer and employee would otherwise split. It works out to about 14.1% of profit. The self-employment tax guide explains the 92.35% factor and the Social Security wage base.

Income tax

Income tax on DoorDash earnings applies to what's left after the 2026 standard deduction of $16,100 for a single filer, the deductible half of self-employment tax, and the 20% qualified business income (QBI) deduction. Many part-time Dashers owe little or no income tax and still owe self-employment tax, as the worked example below shows.

When you'll get a 1099-NEC from DoorDash

You'll get a 1099-NEC from DoorDash for 2026 earnings once you're paid $2,000 or more, up from $600 for 2025 and earlier. The threshold may be adjusted for inflation from 2027.³ DoorDash makes the form available in the Dasher app by January 31, and Step 1 below shows where to download it. DoorDash's help page still lists $600 as of October 10, 2026.

How DoorDash reports your tips

For 2026, Form 1099-NEC reports tips inside the form: box 1a carries total pay including tips, box 1b the tips, and box 1c the occupation code. For 2025, DoorDash emailed a separate tip total by January 31, so keep that email for a 2025 return or an amendment.

DoorDash's help page still describes the 2025 email, so check how your 2026 form shows your tips when it arrives.

Mileage

Mileage is usually the largest DoorDash deduction. For 2026, mileage is deducted at two rates because the IRS mileage rate for business went up mid-year.⁴

You can take the standard mileage rate or your actual car costs, not both for the same car in the same year.

DoorDash emails car Dashers a mileage estimate by January 31. The estimate covers what DoorDash calls "on-delivery mileage." Keep your own log with dates, so your miles can be split at June 30.

The IRS asks for proof of mileage if your return is examined, and an estimate made after the fact is weak evidence. Record the date, miles, and business purpose of each trip as you go, plus your total miles for the year.

Other DoorDash expenses

Other DoorDash expenses you can deduct are the business costs of the job beyond the car. The 1099 deductions list covers the rest of what a gig worker can write off.

Gas, insurance, and repairs are covered by the mileage rate if you take it, so you can't deduct them on top of it.

Does No Tax on Tips apply to DoorDash?

No Tax on Tips applies to DoorDash, because food delivery falls under "goods delivery people" on the IRS list of tipped occupations, code 804.

Unlike the business deductions above, the tips deduction comes off taxable income on Schedule 1-A. It's taken after your profit and self-employment tax have been calculated, so it lowers income tax only.⁵ The worked example below shows the deduction next to the self-employment tax it doesn't touch.

Step 1: Download your 1099 and earnings summary

Download your 1099 and earnings summary from the Dasher app before you start your return. Open the Earnings tab, tap View payout details, then Tax documents, and pick the year. Paper copies come by mail only if you opted out of electronic delivery.

For a full-year total, download your monthly earnings statements from the Dasher app. They're the record you'll work from if you were paid under $2,000 and get no 1099-NEC. Pull DoorDash's mileage email at the same time, but deduct from your own log, as the mileage section above explains.

Step 2: Report your earnings and expenses on Schedule C

Report your DoorDash earnings and expenses on Schedule C, using the business code for couriers and messengers from the Schedule C instructions. Gross pay including tips goes in as income, and mileage and the other expenses above come off it. The profit flows to Form 1040. The tips deduction, if you take it, goes on Schedule 1-A, not Schedule C.

Step 3: Figure your self-employment tax on Schedule SE

Calculate your self-employment tax on Schedule SE from your Schedule C profit. Half of the self-employment tax comes back as a deduction that lowers your income tax.

Step 4: Pay quarterly estimated taxes

Pay quarterly estimated taxes on DoorDash earnings once you expect to owe $1,000 or more after withholding.

Enter your net profit after mileage in the Solvent Quarterly Tax Estimator, linked below. The estimator doesn't model the tips deduction, so its income tax figure can come out higher than yours.