How the calculator works
It asks for your Instacart earnings and business miles and works out self-employment tax, federal income tax after the standard and QBI deductions, and state income tax for the 2026 tax year, with the same rules as the full estimator. Filing status, state and any other costs come from what you saved in the full estimator; the line under the result lists them. It does not cover W-2 wages, itemized deductions or the overtime deduction; the tips deduction is on step 3 of the full estimator. For every deduction and the full breakdown, open the estimator set up for Instacart.
How the income is taxed
Full-service Instacart shoppers are independent contractors and receive a 1099-NEC. In-store shoppers are W-2 employees; this guide and the estimator are for full-service shoppers.
You pay 15.3% self-employment tax on net earnings, plus federal and state income tax. Mileage between stores and customers lowers both.
Common deductions
| Deduction | 2026 figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business mileage (standard rate) | $0.725 a mile through June, $0.76 from July 1 (2026) | To the store, store to customer, and back |
| Insulated grocery bags | What you paid | Equipment for the job |
| Phone bill | Business share of the bill | Enter the bill and your business share on step 3 |
| Phone mount and accessories | What you paid | Used for the job |
| Parking and tolls | What you paid | While on a batch |
| Half of self-employment tax | Worked out for you | Comes off before income tax |
Track mileage from the moment you accept a batch until you drop it off. Trips between stores and customers count.
An example
Example. A single full-service shopper in Ohio earns $41,000 in 2026. 16,000 business miles, the business share of the phone bill and grocery bags bring business expenses to $12,560, so net earnings are $28,440.
Self-employment tax is $4,018. After half of it, the $16,100 standard deduction and a QBI deduction of $2,066, taxable income is $8,265 and federal income tax is $826. Ohio income tax at the flat rate of 2.75% is $284.
Total estimated tax is $5,129, about $1,282 a quarter. The methodology page shows each rule used.
Quarterly payments
Nobody withholds tax from 1099 income, so the IRS expects estimated payments during the year. For the 2026 tax year the due dates are:
| Quarter | Income earned | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | April 15, 2026 |
| Q2 | Apr 1 – May 31 | June 15, 2026 |
| Q3 | Jun 1 – Aug 31 | September 15, 2026 |
| Q4 | Sep 1 – Dec 31 | January 15, 2027 |
The fourth payment for 2026 income is due in January 2027. If an earlier date has passed and is still unpaid, pay as soon as you can; the IRS charge for paying late grows by the day. The calculator shows the quarterly amount for your numbers.
Before you rely on it
This guide and the estimator give estimates for planning, not tax advice. GigWorkerTax is not connected to the IRS or to any gig platform. See the disclaimer, and talk to a licensed tax professional about your own return.