Instacart tax calculator — how much to set aside
Full-service Instacart shoppers are contractors — batch pay, tips and bonuses arrive untaxed. Enter a typical week and see what to keep back.
What you get paid
Set aside
15% of every payment
That's $219 out of each week. Move it the day the money lands.
- Gross for the year
- $78,000
- Net profit after expenses
- $58,500
- Self-employment tax
- $8,266
- Federal income tax
- $3,128
- Total tax for the year
- $11,394
- Each quarterly payment
- $2,849
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Shopper pay and what is left after tax
Batch pay, heavy-order pay, peak boosts and customer tips are all business income. Instacart issues a 1099-NEC once you pass $600, but you owe tax on the earnings whether or not a form shows up.
Shopping involves less driving per dollar than rideshare, so the expense share here starts lower at 25%. Your deductions are mileage between store and customer, insulated bags, phone plan share, parking at the store, and any cart or equipment you bought for the work.
Self-employment tax of 15.3% applies to the profit before income tax. Reserve the percentage the calculator gives you out of each deposit and the quarterly estimates take care of themselves.
Frequently asked questions
How much should an Instacart shopper set aside for taxes?
Most full-service shoppers reserve 20-30% of earnings after mileage. Enter your own batch pay above for a figure based on your real numbers.
Are Instacart tips taxable?
Yes. In-app tips are part of your reported earnings and cash tips are taxable too.
Does Instacart withhold tax for shoppers?
Not for full-service shoppers — they are independent contractors with nothing withheld. In-store shoppers are employees and do have tax withheld on a W-2.
What mileage can a shopper claim?
Miles from your first batch acceptance through to your last delivery, including driving between stores and customers. Commuting from home to the area you start in is not deductible.
Do I need to pay quarterly as a shopper?
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year, yes — around April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15.
Estimates only, using projected 2026 federal figures. Not tax advice.
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