Track gig income across multiple platforms. Calculate your real hourly rate after expenses and taxes. Estimate quarterly tax payments.
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10, 12, 22, 24, 32, 35, or 37%
Affects tax bracket
| Platform | Earnings/wk | Hours/wk | Expenses/wk | Net $/hr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uber / Lyft | $600 | 20h | $150 | $23/hr | |
| DoorDash | $350 | 12h | $50 | $25/hr | |
| Fiverr | $200 | 8h | $10 | $24/hr |
Based on your inputs
$57,500 gross − $10,500 expenses − $16,250 tax
vs $29/hr gross — 2000 hrs/yr
Due Jan 15, Apr 15, Jun 15, Sep 15
| Weekly Gross Earnings | $1,150 |
|---|---|
| Weekly Expenses | $210 |
| Weekly Net | $940 |
| Weekly Hours | 40 hours |
| Annual Gross | $57,500 |
| Annual Expenses | $10,500 |
| Annual Net (before tax) | $47,000 |
| Self-Employment Tax (15.3%) | $6,641 |
| Estimated Income Tax (22%) | $9,610 |
| Total Annual Tax | $16,250 |
| After-Tax Income | $30,750 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 34.6% |
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When you work a regular W-2 job, your employer pays half of Social Security and Medicare taxes (7.65%). As a gig worker, you pay BOTH halves: 15.3% in self-employment tax. This is on top of your regular income tax bracket.
Example: You earn $40,000/year from gig work. Self-employment tax: $40,000 × 92.35% × 15.3% = $5,652. Income tax (22% bracket, after standard deduction): ~$3,100. Total tax: $8,752 — a 21.9% effective rate. Many gig workers are shocked by this.
Every deductible expense reduces both your income tax AND self-employment tax. The IRS standard mileage rate is $0.67/mile (2024). If you drive 20,000 miles for gig work, that's $13,400 in deductions — saving you $3,000-5,000 in taxes.
Common gig deductions: mileage or actual vehicle expenses, phone bill (business %), internet (business %), vehicle insurance (business %), supplies and equipment, platform fees, health insurance premiums (self-employed), and home office (if applicable).
Smart gig workers diversify across platforms to maximize earnings per hour. Key insight: different platforms have different peak earning times. Uber peaks morning/evening commutes and late nights. DoorDash peaks lunch and dinner. Freelance platforms (Fiverr, Upwork) are time-flexible.
Track your effective hourly rate PER PLATFORM after expenses. Many workers discover one platform pays 50%+ more per hour than others. Shift hours accordingly.
Yes — all gig income over $400/year is subject to self-employment tax (15.3%) plus regular income tax. Platforms report earnings over $600 on Form 1099-NEC.
15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) on 92.35% of net self-employment income. This is ON TOP of regular income tax.
Mileage ($0.67/mile), phone, internet, vehicle insurance, supplies, platform fees, health insurance (if self-employed), and home office expenses.
Real Hourly Rate = (Gross Earnings − Expenses − Taxes) ÷ Total Hours. Most gig workers overestimate by 30-50% because they forget expenses and taxes.
After expenses and taxes, Instacart and DoorDash average $12-$18/hour net, Uber and Lyft average $10-$15/hour, and TaskRabbit and Upwork skilled freelancing average $25-$50/hour. Actual earnings depend heavily on market, time of day, and strategy.
Use a mileage tracking app like Everlance or Stride that automatically logs trips. Record the date, starting and ending odometer readings, destination, and business purpose. The IRS standard mileage rate is $0.70 per mile for 2026, deductible on Schedule C.
Yes, if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year. Quarterly payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Set aside 25-30% of each payment you receive to cover self-employment and income taxes.
Yes. Many gig workers maximize earnings by running multiple apps simultaneously, accepting the most profitable orders. Track income and expenses separately per platform for accurate tax reporting. Each platform sending $600 or more will issue a 1099-NEC.
Effective Hourly = (Annual Gross − Expenses − SE Tax − Income Tax) ÷ Annual Hours
SE Tax = Net Income × 92.35% × 15.3%. Quarterly estimate = total annual tax ÷ 4.
Every formula on this page traces to a federal agency, central bank, or peer-reviewed institution. We cite the rule-makers, not secondhand blogs.
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Calculations are for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice.