As a DoorDash driver, you’re running your own small business. That means you can deduct many expenses from your taxes, significantly reducing what you owe the IRS. But many Dashers don’t know what they can write off.
In this guide, we’ll cover every tax deduction available to DoorDash drivers and show you how to maximize your savings.
How DoorDash Taxes Work
DoorDash doesn’t withhold taxes from your pay. You’re classified as an independent contractor, which means:
- You’ll receive a 1099-NEC if you earned $600 or more
- You must pay self-employment tax (15.3%) plus income tax
- You should make quarterly estimated tax payments
- You can deduct business expenses to lower your taxable income
The Biggest Deduction: Mileage
For most DoorDash drivers, mileage is the largest deduction. The 2025 IRS mileage rate is 70 cents per mile.
What Miles Count?
- Driving to pick up an order
- Driving to the customer
- Driving between orders while the app is on
- Driving home at the end of your shift (if you ended with a delivery)
Example Mileage Savings:
| Weekly Miles | Annual Miles | Tax Deduction | Tax Savings (22% bracket) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 10,400 | $7,280 | $1,602 |
| 300 | 15,600 | $10,920 | $2,402 |
| 500 | 26,000 | $18,200 | $4,004 |
Pro Tip: Use an automatic mileage tracking app like Stride, Everlance, or MileIQ. Manual tracking is tedious and you’ll forget drives.
Complete List of DoorDash Tax Deductions
Vehicle-Related Expenses
- Mileage (70¢/mile) OR actual vehicle expenses (not both)
- Parking fees while picking up or delivering
- Tolls paid during deliveries
- Car washes (business-use portion)
Phone and Technology
- Cell phone bill (business-use percentage, typically 50-75%)
- Phone mount and chargers
- Data plan upgrades needed for the app
- Phone case (if needed for work)
Delivery Supplies
- Hot bags and insulated bags (even if DoorDash provided one)
- Drink carriers and cup holders
- Catering bags for large orders
- Hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies
- Flashlight for night deliveries
Health and Safety
- Health insurance premiums (if self-employed and not covered elsewhere)
- Masks and PPE
Other Deductible Expenses
- Portion of home internet (if you use it for tracking earnings, scheduling)
- DoorDash accessories (red card holder, etc.)
- Bank fees on your business account
- Tax software or accountant fees
What You CANNOT Deduct
These common expenses are NOT deductible:
- Food for yourself (even while working)
- Coffee or snacks during shifts
- Traffic tickets or parking violations
- Commute from home to your first delivery
- Personal portion of phone bill
Mileage vs. Actual Expenses: Which is Better?
You can choose between two methods:
Standard Mileage (Recommended for Most)
Simply multiply your business miles by 70¢. Easy and usually gives a bigger deduction.
Actual Expenses
Track all car costs (gas, insurance, repairs, depreciation) and deduct the business-use percentage. More work and rarely better unless you drive an expensive car.
Most DoorDash drivers should use the mileage method. It’s simpler and typically results in a larger deduction.
How to Track Your DoorDash Deductions
- Download a mileage app – Stride is free and works great
- Open a separate bank account – Makes tracking income and expenses easy
- Save receipts – Take photos of all work-related purchases
- Log expenses weekly – Don’t wait until tax time
- Calculate quarterly taxes – Pay estimated taxes to avoid penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report DoorDash income if I made less than $600?
Yes! You must report all self-employment income regardless of amount. The $600 threshold only determines whether DoorDash sends a 1099.
Can I deduct my car payment?
Not directly. If using the mileage method, the 70¢ rate already accounts for vehicle costs. If using actual expenses, you’d deduct depreciation instead.
What if I forgot to track mileage?
You can estimate based on delivery records. Check your DoorDash earnings history – each delivery shows pickup and dropoff locations. It’s not perfect but better than nothing.
Do I need receipts for everything?
For expenses under $75, you don’t technically need a receipt, but it’s good practice. For larger purchases and mileage, keep documentation in case of an audit.
Conclusion
DoorDash drivers have access to valuable tax deductions that can save thousands of dollars per year. The key is to track everything starting today.
Download a mileage tracking app, save your receipts, and consider working with a tax professional who understands gig worker taxes. The money you spend on proper tracking and tax help will pay for itself many times over.