How much should a Spark driver set aside?
What this calculator sets aside from a week of earnings, for a single filer in Georgia who drives the miles shown and has no other costs. The share falls as miles go up, because each mile comes off profit before tax.
| Earned in a week | Business miles | Set aside a week | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400 | 150 | $33 | 8.3% |
| $700 | 280 | $90 | 12.9% |
| $1,000 | 400 | $147 | 14.7% |
| $1,400 | 560 | $225 | 16.1% |
Your own share depends on your filing status, state and other costs: enter a typical week in the 1099 tax calculator, or log each payout in the tracker.
How Spark Driver income is taxed
Spark drivers are independent contractors, so nothing is withheld from what the Spark Driver platform pays you. Spark orders often mean long drives between the store and customers, so miles are usually the largest cost by far, and they come off before the 15.3% self-employment tax and income tax.
Where to find your Spark Driver tax documents
Spark tax documents are in the Spark Driver app, under your account's tax documents, by January 31; you can choose electronic delivery there, or they are mailed. The form is a 1099-NEC, and it includes your delivery pay and tips. Walmart does not give drivers a mileage summary, so the only record of your business miles is the one you keep: date, miles and purpose of each trip (IRS Publication 463).
For 2026 pay, a 1099-NEC comes at $2,000 or more (it was $600 through 2025) and a 1099-K once payments pass $20,000 in more than 200 transactions; below that there may be no form, but the income is still taxable.
Spark Driver tax deductions
| Deduction | 2026 figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business mileage (standard rate) | $0.725 a mile in this estimate (2026) | From accepting an offer through the store and every drop-off |
| Phone bill | Business share of the bill | The share of use that is for the app |
| Insulated bags, hand cart | What you paid | Used for orders |
| Parking and tolls | What you paid | While on an order |
| Half of self-employment tax | Worked out for you | Comes off before income tax |
Because the app keeps no mileage summary, log miles as you go. The tracker keeps payouts and miles together and downloads a mileage log, and the mileage deduction calculator shows what the miles are worth with the 2026 rates. Tips may qualify for the tips deduction (2025 to 2028).
An example
Example. A single Spark driver in Georgia earns $31,000 in 2026. 17,000 business miles from store runs, a hand cart and part of the phone bill bring business expenses to $13,093, so net earnings are $17,907.
Self-employment tax is $2,530. After half of it, the $16,100 standard deduction and a QBI deduction of $400, taxable income is $142 and federal income tax is $-208. Georgia income tax at its flat rate of 4.99% is $27.
Total estimated tax is $2,349: about $45 a week to set aside, or $587 a quarter, with the rules on the methodology page.
Spark Driver tax questions
Does Walmart take out taxes on Spark pay?
No. Spark drivers are independent contractors, so no tax is withheld from delivery pay or tips. You set aside your own share and pay it through quarterly estimated payments.
Does Spark give a mileage summary?
No. Walmart's tax FAQ says it does not provide drivers with mileage summaries. Your own log is the only record of your business miles, so write down the date, miles and purpose of each trip as you go.
Are Spark tips included on my 1099?
Yes. Walmart's FAQ says the 1099 includes your earnings and tips. That is the amount to enter as income before subtracting miles and other costs.
How do I get my Spark tax documents electronically?
In the Spark Driver app, go to your account's tax documents and turn on electronic delivery in the delivery preferences. Otherwise they are mailed to the address on your profile by January 31.
Quarterly payments
Nobody withholds tax from Spark Driver pay, so the IRS expects estimated payments for 2026 on April 15, 2026; June 15, 2026; September 15, 2026; and January 15, 2027. The annual calculator shows your next payment and how to pay it.
Before you rely on it
This page and the calculator give estimates for planning, not tax advice. GigWorkerTax is an independent site and is not affiliated with or sponsored by Spark Driver, and not connected to the IRS. Spark Driver is a trademark of its owner, used here only to say who this page is for. See the disclaimer.
For every deduction, credits and your next IRS payment, open the annual calculator set up for Spark Driver.
Sources, checked October 8, 2026: Spark Driver: tax documents FAQ · IRS: Understanding your Form 1099-K · IRS Gig Economy Tax Center · IRS Publication 463 (car expenses).