Uber driver tax calculator — how much to set aside
Uber pays you gross, after its service fee, with nothing withheld. Enter a typical payout and see the share to move aside the day it lands — and what each quarterly payment should be.
What you get paid
Set aside
13% of every payment
That's $202 out of each week. Move it the day the money lands.
- Gross for the year
- $78,000
- Net profit after expenses
- $54,600
- Self-employment tax
- $7,715
- Federal income tax
- $2,780
- Total tax for the year
- $10,495
- Each quarterly payment
- $2,624
Keep this number
Create a free account and this figure is waiting for you — we'll set the reserve up and track it against what you actually earn. No card needed.
Save it and continueWork on another app?
Why Uber drivers owe more than they expect
Your Uber summary shows gross fares, but you are taxed on profit — fares minus mileage or actual vehicle costs, phone, tolls, cleaning and supplies. Most full-time drivers land somewhere between 25% and 35% of gross in real costs, which is why the default here starts at 30%.
Uber withholds nothing. Self-employment tax of 15.3% applies to profit before a single dollar of income tax, so even a driver who owes no federal income tax usually owes something. That surprise is the single most common reason drivers end up on an IRS payment plan.
The fix is mechanical, not mathematical: move the percentage out of the account the same day Uber pays you. Money that never sits in the spending account never gets spent.
Frequently asked questions
How much should an Uber driver set aside for taxes?
Most Uber drivers reserve 20-30% of what Uber pays out, because roughly a third of gross goes to vehicle costs. The calculator above uses your own payout and expense share rather than a rule of thumb.
Does Uber take taxes out of my pay?
No. Uber treats you as an independent contractor and issues a 1099-NEC or 1099-K. Nothing is withheld, so paying tax is entirely on you, usually through quarterly estimated payments.
Can I deduct mileage as an Uber driver?
Yes, and for most drivers the standard mileage rate beats tracking actual costs. You cannot claim both — mileage already covers fuel, repairs, insurance and depreciation. Tolls and the business share of your phone stay deductible either way.
Are Uber's service fees deductible?
Yes. If your 1099-K shows gross fares before Uber's cut, the service fee, booking fee and any airport fees are deductible business expenses. Deducting them is what brings the reported gross down to what you actually received.
When do Uber drivers pay quarterly taxes?
Around April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year, skipping them adds an underpayment penalty that accrues like interest.
Estimates only, using projected 2026 federal figures. Not tax advice.
Want this kept up to date for you?
A free account turns this one-off estimate into a running number: your income and costs land in one place, and you see what's safe to spend. No card needed.
Create a free account