Costs that count on top of miles
Your phone: the share you use for gig work. If half your phone time is for the apps, half the bill counts.
Supplies: hot bags, a phone mount, a car charger, cooler bags for groceries.
Parking and tolls while working. The mileage rate leaves these out, so they’re added on top.
Costs that don’t count with the mileage rate
Gas, oil, repairs, tires, car washes, insurance and car payments. The mileage rate already stands in for them.
There’s a second method that deducts the real car costs instead of the rate. Most drivers use the rate because it’s simpler.
Two deductions that come on their own
Half of your self-employment tax. 50% of it comes off your income before income tax is worked out.
The qualified business income deduction. It takes up to 20% of your gig profit off your income tax, within limits.
Tax software adds both from your numbers. You don’t need receipts for them.
Keep the proof
Save receipts or bank statements for each cost. A photo on your phone is fine.
Tax Pit Stop keeps a list of your costs and puts them on the right line of the tax-time pack.
Figures for 2026, from IRS documents. Tax rules change, so check the year at the top.
Work out your own number
The free calculator shows how much of each payout to set aside for your year, with the math. No sign-up.
Open the calculator