Use total time, not only active delivery time
A business-hour denominator should include the time you chose to work: waiting, repositioning, pickup delays, and delivery time. Using only active time can overstate the economic return.
Compare true pay with your own target and with alternative uses of the vehicle and time.
Vehicle cost is more than fuel
Fuel is visible every week; maintenance, tires, repairs, and depreciation are delayed. The calculator keeps these assumptions separate so you can replace defaults with your own records.
An electric vehicle uses energy cost per mile rather than MPG. Insurance and financing may also matter but vary too much for a universal default.
Economic cost and tax deduction differ
A real business cost is not always deductible in the same amount or period, and a tax deduction is not the same as cash spent. This result measures economics first, then applies a simplified tax estimate.
Use the tax calculator for return-oriented planning and this tool for shift decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What hours should I count?
Count all time committed to the shift, including waiting, repositioning, pickups, and deliveries. Excluding unpaid time makes the hourly result look better than the actual tradeoff.
How should I estimate maintenance?
Start with your own service, tire, repair, and expected replacement records. A per-mile default is only a placeholder and should be adjusted for vehicle age and use.
Why include depreciation?
Driving consumes vehicle value even when no bill arrives that week. Depreciation helps reflect the delayed cost of replacing a heavily used vehicle.
Is true hourly wage the same as taxable profit?
No. True wage is an economic metric. Taxable profit follows tax accounting and deduction rules, so the two should not be expected to match.
Can I share the result?
Yes. The calculator creates a local image on your device. Review it before sharing; it displays only the result and assumptions you choose, not an account or uploaded data.
Official sources
- IRS 2026 inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32)
- IRS Topic 554: Self-employment tax
- IRS Publication 463: car-expense records and substantiation
- U.S. EIA gasoline and diesel fuel update methodology
See methodology for formulas, source status, assumptions, and known limits.
Keep going
DoorDash tax calculator
Estimate annual federal, self-employment, and state tax.
Vehicle deduction comparison
Separate cash economics from deduction method.
App mileage gaps
Understand why trip and tax miles can differ.
By the GigTakeHome Editorial Team · Content last reviewed: August 13, 2026. Report an error.