Gig earnings calculator
Use one week of real numbers from your app summary and your odometer. Nothing you type is saved or sent.
Quick answer
Add a week of app pay and tips, then subtract the cost of the miles you drove for work and a share for self-employment tax. Divide what is left by every hour you were logged in, including waiting time. The calculator defaults to the IRS business mileage rate of 76 cents a mile for driving from July 1, 2026, and 15.3% self-employment tax on 92.35% of net earnings.
Why the per-mile number matters most
For many drivers, the car is the biggest cost they never see on the payout screen: gas, wear, tires, insurance and lost value. The IRS standard mileage rate is an estimate of those costs per business mile. For 2026 it was 72.5 cents from January 1 to June 30 and 76 cents from July 1, after the IRS raised it because of fuel prices. If you track your actual costs and they are lower, put your own number in the box.
Taxes you owe as an independent contractor
App drivers are usually paid as independent contractors, so no tax is withheld. You owe self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare, on net earnings, plus income tax. The IRS expects quarterly estimated payments if you will owe $1,000 or more for the year. Setting aside a share of every payout avoids a surprise bill in April.
Make the numbers honest
- Count hours from when you go online until you go offline, not only time on a trip.
- Count every work mile, including driving to pickups and repositioning.
- Use a full week, not one good shift.
Common questions
Can I deduct mileage if I drive for a delivery app?
Independent contractors can generally deduct business miles using the standard mileage rate or actual expenses, and need a mileage log. The IRS Gig Economy Tax Center explains the rules and records to keep.
What is the IRS mileage rate for 2026?
72.5 cents per business mile from January 1 to June 30, 2026, and 76 cents per mile from July 1, 2026, under IRS Announcement 2026-11.
Why does the calculator set aside 14.1%?
Self-employment tax is 15.3% applied to 92.35% of net earnings, which works out to about 14.1% of net pay. Income tax is extra and depends on your total income, so many drivers set aside more.
Where these facts come from
- IRS Announcement 2026-11: revised standard mileage rates
- IRS: 2026 standard mileage rates
- IRS: self-employment tax
- IRS: Gig Economy Tax Center
- IRS: estimated taxes
Sources checked October 10, 2026. Programs and rules change; confirm details with the agency or company before you act.
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