How much should an Uber Eats courier set aside?
What this calculator sets aside from a week of earnings, for a single filer in Utah 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 | $89 | 12.7% |
| $1,000 | 400 | $145 | 14.5% |
| $1,400 | 560 | $222 | 15.9% |
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 Uber Eats income is taxed
Uber Eats couriers are independent contractors, so no tax is withheld. What you deliver with decides your biggest cost: miles if you drive, the bike and its upkeep if you ride.
The standard mileage rate is for a car, van, pickup or panel truck (IRS Publication 463). If you deliver by bike or e-bike, enter 0 miles and count the business share of what the bike and its gear cost you as an expense instead.
Where to find your Uber Eats tax documents
Uber posts tax documents on drivers.uber.com and in the app by January 31. Every courier gets an annual tax summary, and monthly ones, with earnings and the online miles in the app: waiting for an order, driving to the pickup and on the delivery. A 1099-K reports what customers paid for your deliveries, before Uber's fees, which are a business expense; a 1099-NEC covers promotions, referrals and other payments.
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.
Uber Eats tax deductions
| Deduction | 2026 figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business mileage (standard rate) | $0.725 a mile in this estimate (2026) | Online miles: waiting, to the pickup and on the delivery, by car |
| Uber service fees | What Uber kept | When your 1099-K shows what customers paid |
| Phone bill | Business share of the bill | The share of use that is for the app |
| Insulated bag, phone mount | What you paid | Used for deliveries |
| Bike or e-bike (if you deliver by bike) | Business share of the cost | Instead of miles |
| Half of self-employment tax | Worked out for you | Comes off before income tax |
The online miles in Uber's tax summary are a useful check, but keep your own log too. Tips through the app may qualify for the tips deduction (2025 to 2028), which the annual calculator can add.
An example
Example. A single Uber Eats courier in Utah earns $24,000 in 2026. 8,500 business miles, Uber's fees and the business share of the phone bill bring business expenses to $7,017, so net earnings are $16,983.
Self-employment tax is $2,400. After half of it, the $16,100 standard deduction and a QBI deduction of $0, taxable income is $0 and federal income tax is $-287. Utah income tax at its flat rate of 4.45% is $0.
Total estimated tax is $2,113: about $41 a week to set aside, or $528 a quarter, with the rules on the methodology page.
Uber Eats tax questions
Does Uber Eats take out taxes?
No. Couriers are independent contractors, so Uber withholds nothing from delivery earnings or tips. The tax is paid through quarterly estimated payments and your return.
I deliver by bike. What can I deduct?
Not miles: the standard mileage rate is for a car, van, pickup or panel truck (Publication 463). Instead count the business share of what you spent on the bike or e-bike, its repairs, a delivery bag and your phone.
What are the online miles in my Uber tax summary?
Uber counts three kinds: miles while waiting for an order, miles driving to the pickup, and miles on the delivery. They are a useful check on your own mileage log.
Do I get a 1099 if I made under $20,000?
Usually not a 1099-K, which Uber sends when customer payments reach $20,000. Promotions and referrals can still come on a 1099-NEC. Either way, all of your Uber Eats income is taxable.
Quarterly payments
Nobody withholds tax from Uber Eats 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 Uber Eats, and not connected to the IRS. Uber Eats 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 Uber Eats.
Sources, checked October 8, 2026: Uber: tax information for drivers and couriers · IRS: Understanding your Form 1099-K · IRS Gig Economy Tax Center · IRS Publication 463 (car expenses).