Why We Built Gig Pay Me
Gig Pay Me was built because drivers deserve to know the truth about their earnings. When you finish a shift and the app flashes "$152 earned!" — that number is a lie by omission. It doesn't subtract the $20 you spent on gas, the 15.3% self-employment tax you'll owe in April, the wear on your car, or the 25–30% the platform quietly keeps for itself.
We created this free tool for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Amazon Flex, Instacart, and all other gig workers to see what they actually take home every shift. No sign-ups. No data collection. No hidden fees. Just honest math.
How It Works
- ⛽ Gas cost = Miles driven ÷ Your MPG × Gas price per gallon
- 📋 Mileage Tax Write-off = Miles × $0.76 (2026 IRS rate) — deducted from your taxable income
- 💼 Self-employment tax = 15.3% × 92.35% of net earnings (after deductions)
- 💸 Platform fees = Optional toggle showing what Uber, Lyft, or DoorDash keep (25–30%)
- ✨ True take-home = Gross pay − Gas − SE tax − Platform fees (if enabled)
Our Data Sources
- 📊 IRS Standard Mileage Rate: 76¢/mile (2026)
- ⛽ National average gas price: $4.53/gallon (AAA, 2026)
- 💼 Self-employment tax rate: 15.3% (Social Security + Medicare, per IRS guidance)
- 💸 Platform take rates: Uber ~25%, DoorDash ~30%, Lyft ~25%
How These Guides Are Written
These guides are drafted with AI assistance, then edited and published by Amado Sandoval, who builds and maintains this site. Every figure is checked against a primary source before it goes live — primarily the IRS's own published mileage and self-employment tax rates, and AAA's national gas price averages — and the pages that carry rate figures show the date those figures were last verified.
Telling you how this is made matters more to us than sounding bigger than we are. If you find a number that is out of date or wrong, email support@gig-pay.me and it will be corrected.
We are not tax professionals or financial advisors. Our content is meant to help gig drivers understand their real take-home pay and ask better questions — not to replace guidance from a qualified tax advisor for your specific situation.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates only. Actual earnings and expenses vary by location, vehicle, driving habits, and tax situation. We are not tax professionals. Consult a qualified tax advisor for personalized guidance. This site is not affiliated with Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Amazon, or any gig platform.