Driving for DoorDash is a flexible way to earn extra income—but what happens when tax season rolls around, and you made under $600? You might assume that small earnings don’t matter to the IRS. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
If you made money delivering food, even just a few hundred bucks, you could still be on the hook for taxes.
Let’s clear up the confusion around Doordash taxes under $600 and walk through what you need to know as a self-employed gig worker.
Why You Might Still Owe Taxes—Even Without a 1099
Many Dashers are surprised when they don’t receive a 1099-NEC from DoorDash. The $600 threshold often leads people to believe that income below that line is tax-free.
But here’s the reality:
- All income counts: The IRS requires you to report all income, even if you didn’t receive a tax form.
- $600 is a reporting threshold, not a tax threshold: DoorDash only sends a 1099-NEC if you earned $600 or more from them. But even if you made $200, it’s still taxable.
- You’re self-employed: That means you’re responsible for tracking, reporting, and paying taxes on your earnings, regardless of whether a form was issued.
So yes—even if you made under $600, you may still need to file taxes.
How DoorDash Classifies Drivers for Tax Purposes
If you’re delivering with DoorDash, you are not an employee. You’re considered an independent contractor, which comes with different tax rules than regular W-2 employment.
Here’s how that plays out:
- You’re responsible for your own taxes—including income tax and self-employment tax (which covers Social Security and Medicare).
- You’ll file a Schedule C as part of your personal return to report your business income and expenses.
- You’ll owe self-employment tax on net income over $400, even if your gross income was under $600.
This means your tax liability isn’t just based on how much you made—it’s based on how much profit you made afterexpenses.
Tracking Your Earnings Without a 1099
No 1099? No problem—so long as you’ve kept records.
DoorDash provides a summary of your earnings through the Earnings tab in the app or website. You can also track your weekly deposits into your bank account and compare them with delivery logs.
Here are some easy ways to stay organized:
- Download your DoorDash weekly payout reports and save them in one place
- Log mileage, parking, and tolls in real time using apps like Everlance or Stride
- Take photos of receipts for any business-related purchases, like hot bags or phone mounts
Keeping your own records puts you in control—don’t wait for a tax form to tell you how much you made.
What You Can Deduct as a DoorDash Driver
If you’re paying taxes like a business, you should also claim deductions like a business. That’s one of the perks of being self-employed—you can write off expenses that lower your taxable income.
Here’s what many Dashers can legally deduct:
- Mileage driven while actively delivering
- Phone expenses, including a percentage of your monthly bill
- Hot bags, coolers, and other delivery tools
- Tolls and parking fees (not tickets!)
- Snacks or drinks you provide for customers (if applicable)
Let’s say you earned $500 delivering food but drove 300 miles to do it. Using the IRS standard mileage rate (67 cents per mile in 2024), you could deduct $201 from your income—cutting your taxable profit significantly.
Filing Doordash Taxes Under $600
If you made under $600, and DoorDash didn’t send you a 1099, you still report your income the same way:
- File a Schedule C to show your earnings and expenses as a sole proprietor
- Calculate your net profit (earnings minus deductions)
- File a Schedule SE to pay self-employment tax if that net profit exceeds $400
- Include all this in your Form 1040 at tax time
If your net profit was under $400, you may avoid self-employment tax—but you’ll still need to report the income.
Even small gigs can create big problems if ignored. Filing properly keeps you in the IRS’s good graces.
Tax Tips to Keep More of Your DoorDash Income
Self-employment doesn’t have to mean a big tax bill. Smart planning throughout the year can help you keep more of your money.
Here’s how:
- Use a separate bank account for all DoorDash income and expenses
- Track mileage weekly, not just at the end of the year
- Make quarterly estimated tax payments if you expect to owe more than $1,000
- Consider setting up an LLC if your earnings grow—this can offer tax and legal benefits
- Work with a qualified tax advisor to identify every deduction you qualify for
Dimov Tax works with gig workers across the country to help them file accurately, save money, and avoid IRS headaches. Whether you dash a little or a lot, we can help.
What If You Didn’t File in a Previous Year?
Maybe you made $400 last year and didn’t think it mattered. Maybe you just didn’t know. You’re not alone—and it’s not too late.
The IRS allows you to file prior-year returns and catch up on missed filings. Doing so voluntarily is always better than waiting to be contacted.
Benefits of filing now:
- Avoid escalating penalties and interest
- Protect your eligibility for future refunds or credits
- Show good faith if the IRS ever questions your earnings
At Dimov Tax, we help DoorDash drivers get back on track—even if you’re behind on taxes.
Don’t Let $600 Be Your Excuse
So, do you have to file taxes for DoorDash if you made less than $600? Probably. Just because you didn’t get a tax form doesn’t mean the IRS isn’t expecting a report. And the longer you wait to get compliant, the harder it gets.
Gig income—no matter how small—can affect your taxes, your refund, and even your ability to get loans or qualify for healthcare subsidies.
If you’ve been dashing part-time or just getting started, the smartest move you can make is to treat it like a business.
How Dimov Tax Helps DoorDash Drivers Nationwide
Dimov Tax is trusted by independent contractors, freelancers, and gig workers across the U.S. We offer:
- Personalized tax strategies tailored to your gig work
- Audit-ready mileage and expense tracking support
- Catch-up filing for past years
- Expert help maximizing deductions
- Transparent, fixed pricing—no surprises
You drive to earn money—we help you keep it. Whether you made $200 or $20,000, we’ll make sure you’re filing correctly and paying only what you truly owe.
Ready to stay compliant and save on taxes? Let Dimov Tax handle the IRS while you focus on the road ahead. Contact us today to get started with a tax professional who understands gig work.