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Updated for 2025 tax year · IRS rates verified
How much tax do gig workers really owe?
A free 1099 tax calculator built for Uber drivers, DoorDash couriers, Upwork freelancers, and every hustler in between. Estimate self-employment tax, federal income tax, and your quarterly payment in under a minute.
No signup. No email.Quarterly payments includedAll 50 states
The Calculator
Built for the hustle.
Pick your gig, drop in your income, and we’ll show you exactly what to set aside for taxes — including a quarterly payment plan that keeps the IRS happy.
50
States supported
2025
Tax year
48s
Avg. calc time
Free
Cost
1. Pick your gig
2. Enter your numbers
Your estimated tax bill
$4,056
9% effective rate
Pay quarterly: $1,014
Take-home
$39,144
SE Tax
$3,335
Federal
$146
State
$575
Gross income$45,000
Mileage deduction−$19,600
Other expenses−$1,800
Net SE earnings$23,600
Self-employment tax (15.3%)$3,335
Federal income tax$146
State tax$575
QBI deduction (20%)−$4,720
Standard deduction−$15,750
Take-home pay$39,144
Estimates use IRS 2025 brackets, $0.70/mi standard mileage rate, and simplified state tax rates. This is not tax advice — consult a CPA for your specific situation.
How It Works
The math behind your tax bill.
Gig workers pay two kinds of tax that W-2 employees don’t fully see. Here’s the breakdown — no jargon.
01
Self-employment tax
A flat 15.3% on net earnings. It covers Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%) — both the employer and employee halves, which is why it stings.
02
Federal income tax
On top of SE tax, your net business profit is added to your taxable income. The IRS uses progressive brackets from 10% to 37%.
03
Quarterly payments
The IRS expects you to pay as you earn. Payments are due roughly April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15.
Top Deductions
Don’t leave money on the table.
The average gig worker overpays the IRS by $1,249 every year by forgetting deductions. Here are the ones to track religiously.
Run my numbersVehicle mileage
$0.70 / mileThe single biggest deduction for drivers. Track every business mile — to pickups, between deliveries, to the gas station.
Home office
$5 / sq ftUp to 300 sq ft of dedicated workspace. Simplified method requires no receipts.
Phone & internet
Business %Deduct the percentage of your phone and internet used for gig work. Most drivers claim 60-80%.
Platform fees
100% deductibleService fees taken by Uber, DoorDash, Upwork, Stripe, or PayPal before you ever see the money.
Health insurance
100% deductibleIf you buy your own health coverage, the premiums reduce your taxable income directly.
Retirement contributions
Up to 25%A SEP IRA lets you contribute up to 25% of net earnings — tax-deductible and growing tax-deferred.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Who needs to file 1099 taxes?
Anyone who earns at least $400 in net self-employment income during the year. This includes Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, Upwork, Fiverr, Etsy sellers, and anyone receiving a 1099-NEC, 1099-K, or 1099-MISC form.
What's the self-employment tax rate?
It's a flat 15.3% on 92.35% of your net earnings — 12.4% goes to Social Security (capped at the annual wage base of $176,100 for 2025) and 2.9% to Medicare (no cap). High earners pay an extra 0.9% Medicare surtax.
When are quarterly taxes due?
The four IRS quarterly deadlines are roughly April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. Missing them can trigger underpayment penalties.
How do I track mileage?
Use an automatic tracker like Stride, Everlance, or MileIQ. The IRS standard rate is $0.70/mile for 2025, and a typical full-time rideshare driver claims 25,000–30,000 business miles a year.
What's the difference between 1099-NEC and 1099-K?
1099-NEC reports direct payments from a client or company for your services (e.g., Upwork, Fiverr). 1099-K reports payments processed via card networks (e.g., Uber, Stripe, PayPal). Be careful not to double-count income that appears on both.
Can I deduct my car payment?
If you use the standard mileage method ($0.70/mi), the rate already includes depreciation, so you can't deduct the loan or lease separately. With the actual expense method, you can deduct the business-use percentage of your loan interest, gas, repairs, insurance, and depreciation.
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