Where to Find Your Instacart Form 1099: Easy Answer

The popularity of the gig economy has made DoorDash, Lyft, Uber, and Instacart household names. If you work as an Instacart shopper and earn $600 or more from the platform during the tax year, you will receive IRS Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation, by January 31 of the following year. This form can be found in the Shopper app's inbox or sent to you via email or postmail. You will report your nonemployee compensation (Instacart shoppers are considered independent contractors for tax purposes) to the IRS, which also receives a copy of your 1099-NEC.

Instacart shoppers should use this guide to learn where to find their Instacart Form 1099, which 1099 they might receive, and how they should file their taxes. If the form doesn't arrive in time or is confusing, don't worry. Professional Instacart shopper support is ready to assist you.  

Key Takeaways

• Learn who receives IRS Form 1099 from Instacart

• Determine which form you should expect to receive – 1099-NEC or 1099-K

• Find out when the appropriate forms are typically available

• Gain an understanding of what to do if you do not receive your 1099 at the appropriate time

How To Get Your Instacart Form 1099

Instacart shoppers will receive their Form 1099 by January 31 via one of the following methods:

• Instacart platform 

• Email 

• Physical mail

Wondering where to find Form 1099 for Instacart? Your 1099 tax form will be located in the Instacart Shopper account or tax portal. If you receive it by email, check your spam or junk folder. If you don't receive the form by the end of January, contact Instacart support for a copy as soon as possible. 

Which Instacart Tax Form Will You Receive?

How you're paid for your Instacart shopper work will help determine which form you receive in January.  

Form 1099-NEC

Typically, Instacart shoppers who meet the appropriate threshold will receive IRS Form 1099-NEC. Use it to report your nonemployee compensation to the IRS by the April deadline.

If you work with other platforms and meet reporting thresholds, gig workers and independent contractors may receive additional 1099-NECs. That income must also be reported to the IRS. 

Form 1099-K

While IRS Form 1099-NEC is the most common form Instacart shoppers receive, you may receive IRS Form 1099-K if you received payment through a third-party payment processor, such as Stripe, PayPal, or Square. 

While the form may differ, your responsibilities remain the same. You will still need to report eligible income to the IRS by the deadline. 

Getting an Instacart 1099 for Prior Years

You can obtain an Instacart 1099 for prior years, but the process may differ depending on the year in question.

If you worked with Instacart in 2021 or 2022, there is a distinct process for obtaining Form 1099. Instacart previously worked with Stripe Express to provide this form. Contact Stripe support if you need help accessing your 1099 forms from this era. They should be able to send you an email link that gives you access to the required documentation. If attempts to contact Stripe support are unsuccessful, contact Instacart directly for assistance, or log in to your Shopper portal for more information.

If you worked as an Instacart shopper in 2023 or 2024, contact Instacart directly to obtain a copy of your 1099 if it isn't available in your Shopper app or on the website. 

Updating Tax Information on Instacart

Freelancers and contractors who work with Instacart use the Instacart Shopper mobile application to perform their duties. You can update your tax information directly in the application if changes are needed.

What If You Didn’t Get Your Instacart 1099?

There are instances where you might not have received a Form 1099 from Instacart. Common reasons you didn't receive the form include: 

• You earned below the $600 reporting threshold (Instacart wouldn't send the form in this scenario)

• You provided incorrect or outdated contact information to the platform 

It is still your responsibility to report eligible income to the IRS by the appropriate deadline. Use your bank statements or earnings summaries in place of a 1099 to ensure accurate reporting.  

How Instacart Shoppers Should File Taxes

As your gig economy career continues to evolve and self-employment income grows, so will the complexity of your financial work. Report your Instacart income on Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship), and don't overlook your other tax responsibilities as a self-employed independent contractor.

You're responsible for paying the 15.3% self-employment tax that funds federal Medicare and Social Security programs. Determine and report this tax on Schedule SE (Form 1040), Self-Employment Tax. You're also responsible for calculating and paying quarterly estimated taxes, since platforms like Instacart aren't obligated to withhold tax on your behalf, akin to an employer. Use IRS Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, to calculate and submit payment four times annually.

2026 quarterly estimated tax deadlines: 

• April 15th

• June 15th

• September 15th

• January 15th, 2027 

If juggling quarterly payments and Instacart shopper responsibilities feels impossible, expert support from 1-800Accountant will help: 

• Track eligible deductions and credits

• File Instacart taxes accurately and on time

• Ensure compliance and avoid penalties

Frequently Asked Questions About Instacart Taxes

What is Form 1099?

Form 1099 is a series of tax forms used by freelancers and contractors to report their income. While employers would handle tax withholdings for their W-2 workers, nonemployee contractors and freelancers are responsible for their own withholdings. Instacart will typically send the appropriate form, 1099-NEC or 1099-K, to freelancers by the end of January. 

Who needs to file Form 1099?

Self-employed workers are responsible for filing the appropriate Form 1099 with the IRS. The precise version of Form 1099 that you receive will depend on several factors, including how payments were transmitted. For example, if you made $600 or more during the fiscal year from a single source, such as Instacart, you will receive Form 1099-NEC from the platform.  

How does Form 1099 affect independent contractors?

Form 1099 allows independent contractors to report nonemployee income to the IRS. Submitting accurate tax filings by the deadline allows independent contractors to stay in good standing with the IRS. This also helps self-employed individuals maintain compliance. 

When should Form 1099 be filed?

Freelancers and independent contractors typically file their annual tax returns on April 15, the same date as most American workers. They are also responsible for calculating and filing quarterly estimated taxes four times annually. Inaccurate calculations can invite costly underpayment penalties.  

What happens if you don’t file your Form 1099?

It's in your best interest to accurately file by the appropriate deadline. Shirking this responsibility will lead to penalties and increased IRS scrutiny. IRS penalties aren't fixed and will continue to accrue until the tax bill is paid or the penalties reach a certain income threshold. If you struggle to calculate or submit your tax bill by the deadline, work with experienced virtual tax professionals for assistance.

Do Instacart drivers pay quarterly taxes?

If drivers expect to owe $1,000 or more in Instacart shopper taxes during the year, they are responsible for calculating and submitting quarterly estimated tax payments. Drivers should use IRS Form 1040-ES to calculate and submit payments. Use 1-800Accountant's free quarterly estimated tax calculator to easily determine your current estimated tax burden. 

Can I deduct mileage and phone expenses?

Instacart drivers can deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses, including mileage and phone costs. The standard mileage rate for 2026 is 72.5 cents per mile, and each trip must be accurately recorded and annotated. If you use your phone exclusively for work, the entire cost is deductible. If your phone has a mixed use (business and personal), the business portion is deductible. 

What happens if I file late or incorrectly?

It's best to file your business taxes correctly and on time. Filing incorrectly or past a deadline can invite penalties and increased IRS scrutiny. If you miss a deadline, file as soon as you can, and if you notice a problem, correct it and file an amended return as quickly as possible.  

Can I file without a 1099?

Yes, you can file your taxes without a 1099. This is true even if you meet Instacart 1099-NEC reporting thresholds, but lack that documentation. You can still ensure your reporting is accurate by relying on bank statements or earnings summaries in place of a 1099. 

How 1-800Accountant Helps Gig Workers

1-800Accountant, America's leading virtual accounting firm, provides affordable, tax-deductible accounting support to Instacart shoppers, freelancers, and other gig workers nationwide. Full-service bookkeeping, proactive tax planning, and year-round advisory support from professional CPAs, EAs, bookkeepers, and tax experts maximizes your tax savings and selects every eligible tax deduction while ensuring compliance.   

Schedule a free 30-minute consultation to get started.