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Delivery Driver True Profit Calculator

DoorDash says you made $800 this week. But after gas, miles, car wear, and taxes — what did you actually make? Let's find out.

Your True Hourly Rate (after all expenses + SE tax)
$21.86/hr
vs. apparent rate: $32.00/hr before expenses

Weekly Breakdown

Gross Earnings$800.00
− Gas-$25.00
− Insurance (allocated)-$34.62
− Maintenance (allocated)-$46.15
− Depreciation (allocated)-$57.69
= Net before tax$636.54
− Self-Employment Tax-$89.94
= Weekly Take-Home$546.60
💡 Mileage deduction tip: Log your 200 miles/week. The 2025 IRS mileage deduction ($140.00/week) saves you ~$35.00/week in taxes. Your cost per mile is $0.82 vs the IRS rate of $0.70 — you're actually losing money per mile even with the deduction.
→ Mileage deduction calculator→ Quarterly tax planner

Frequently Asked Questions

What expenses can delivery drivers deduct?

Delivery drivers can deduct business mileage (70¢/mile in 2025), phone costs (business-use percentage), insulated bags and gear, and other directly related business expenses. You cannot use the standard mileage rate and also deduct actual gas and depreciation — choose one method.

How much does car depreciation cost per mile?

The IRS standard mileage rate of 70¢/mile (2025) already accounts for depreciation, gas, oil, and maintenance combined. If using actual expenses, typical vehicle depreciation for a delivery car runs $0.08–$0.15 per mile depending on vehicle value and annual mileage.

Do I have to pay self-employment tax on delivery income?

Yes. As an independent contractor, you pay SE tax of 15.3% on net earnings (up to the Social Security wage base). You can deduct half of your SE tax on your income tax return. This is separate from income tax.

What is a realistic hourly rate for DoorDash or Uber Eats?

After mileage, SE tax, and waiting time, most delivery drivers net $10–$18/hour in typical markets. High-demand urban areas during peak hours can exceed $20/hour. The key variable is miles driven per hour — fewer miles means higher net pay.

Sources: IRS Publication 463 (Travel & Vehicle Expenses), IRS 2025 Mileage Rate, IRS Schedule SE. Last updated March 2026.