Do I Owe Taxes on Uber Eats Income: What to Pay & How to File

Uber, a ride-hailing business, rose to prominence by offering an affordable and more convenient transportation alternative. Since its launch, Uber has become a household name and instrumental in creating the modern gig economy. As a result, workers have embraced the entrepreneurial spirit by becoming their own bosses. In the wake of Uber's ride-hailing success, they eventually created Uber Eats, a streamlined way for customers to order food for delivery. Like Uber, Uber Eats has been embraced by the public worldwide.

Navigating taxes related to your Uber Eats work can be tricky, as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not make allowances for workers who do not know what they'll owe. However, there are tax write-offs that independent contractors and self-employed individuals, a large part of Uber Eats workers, are eligible for, so there is certainty about tax-saving opportunities.Uber Eats Income: What to Pay & How to File Key Takeaways include: 

• Determining whether your Uber Eats work qualifies for taxes

• Discovering which tax forms to use if you owe

• Learning when and how to file taxes

• Browsing helpful deductions to lower your tax liability

Uber Eats Taxes: Do I Have to File Taxes for Uber Eats Income?

You're considered a self-employed independent contractor if you deliver for Uber Eats. This applies to gig workers delivering for GrubHub, DoorDash, and other modern delivery services. Unlike W-2 employees, whose employers handle tax withholdings for them, gig workers are responsible for handling their own taxes.

If you make $600 or more in a year working with Uber Eats, you will be responsible for filing taxes to report your income. 

Which Forms Do Self-Employed Uber Eats Drivers Need?

Uber Eats will prepare IRS Form 1099-NEC and IRS Form 1099-K if you're eligible. 

You will use IRS Form 1099-NEC if you make $600 or more in non-Uber Eats payments, including trip supplements, referrals, and promotions. You'd use IRS Form 1099-K if you made $5,000 or more in a year making deliveries for Uber Eats. 

Uber Eats will send an email notifying you when your tax documents are ready on their website,  drivers.uber.com, and in the Driver mobile application. Your tax forms should be available no later than January 31.

Schedule a call with the experts at 1-800Accountant if you're having difficulty preparing and filing your taxes. 

When Do Uber Eats Drivers Owe Income Tax?

Unlike W-2 employees, independent contractors such as those who work with Uber Eats must estimate and pay quarterly estimated taxes four times per year. Quarterly estimated tax payment due dates for the 2025 calendar year include the following: 

• April 15, 2025

• June 16, 2025

• September 15, 2025

• January 15, 2026

Use IRS Form 1040-ES, Estimated Taxes for Individuals, to calculate and pay your quarterly estimated taxes. The form includes payment vouchers and instructions for filing online.

If you struggle to make accurate calculations by each deadline, our full-service quarterly estimated tax solution can help. 

How to File Taxes for Uber Eats Earnings

You will use IRS Form 1099-NEC and/or IRS Form 1099-K as supporting documents for your tax return. Forms you may use to file your taxes and claim tax deductions include: 

• IRS Form 1040. File Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to report taxable income and calculate your tax liability for the year.

• IRS Schedule C (Form 1040). Report your business income from Uber Eats on IRS Form 1040, Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business. Schedule C reports your self-employment income and business tax deductions. 

• IRS Schedule SE (Form 1040). Form 1040, Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax, should be used to report your freelance income and calculate the self-employment tax liability. You’ll also need to pay income taxes, but you can deduct half of your self-employment tax. 

Uber offers a guide to tax season with helpful insights for Uber Eats deliverers who handle their own tax preparation and filing responsibilities. 

What Tax Deductions Are Uber Eats Workers Eligible For?

Tax deductions related to your Uber Eats work can lower your taxable income. Consider the following deductions and make sure to keep detailed records supporting each deduction you take.

• Business Expenses. You can deduct the cost of business assets, such as a car or bicycle you use with Uber Eats, over time via depreciation. You must follow IRS depreciation rules if the business assets you're writing off exceed $2,500. 

• Vehicle Deductions. Vehicle deductions can be made using the standard mileage deduction or the actual expense method. 

  • The 2025 standard mileage rate is 70 cents per business mile. It's important to follow restrictions on depreciation expense deductions and car payments.

  • If your vehicle operating expenses exceed the standard mileage deduction, you can opt for the actual expense method. Instead of deducting your business mileage, determine your expenses for business-related travel, including insurance, gas, and maintenance costs. The actual expense method typically allows for larger depreciation expense deductions. 

  • While mileage deductions only apply to motor vehicles, you can deduct the costs of using a bicycle for deliveries. You can write off the business-use portion of your biking helmet, chain lock, and repair expenses. 

• Tools and Equipment. It's common to use temperature-controlled packaging to keep items hot or cold and other tools and equipment that can be written off. Examples of tools and equipment that can be written off include hot bags and insulated packaging, coolers and ice packs, helmet, biking gloves, and other delivery-related clothing, and backpacks to transport deliveries to customers.

• Fees. You can write off fees related to professional services you rely on to complete deliveries and manage your independent contractor business. Eligible fees include mileage tracking software, navigation app subscriptions, bookkeeping and expense management software, and virtual accounting costs.

• Tolls and Parking. You can deduct tolls and parking fees you paid while delivering for Uber Eats. Keep your receipts from parking lots, garages, and tolls related to your deliveries. 

Don’t Let Tax Season Eat Up Your Income: Get Expert Support

Handling IRS compliance and preparing tax materials is a complex, time-consuming challenge. If you make a mistake or miss a deadline, you could be inviting penalties and additional scrutiny from the IRS. That's why many gig workers trust 1-800Accountant, America’s leading virtual accounting firm, for their financial needs.

Whether you need business tax preparation, tax advisory, or any of our professional accounting services, we have the affordable solutions you need to ensure your self-employed business remains compliant. Schedule a quick consultation–usually 30 minutes or less—to learn more.