Expense Tracker for DoorDash Drivers
Every mile. Every delivery bag. Every receipt. Schedule C-ready.
DoorDash Dashers are self-employed independent contractors. That means you file Schedule C, pay self-employment tax, and get to deduct every legitimate business expense. This guide covers exactly what you can deduct and how to track it.
DoorDash Driver Deductions
| Deduction | Schedule C Line | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mileage ($0.725/mile) | Line 9 | Most Dashers' largest deduction |
| Insulated delivery bag | Line 22 | 100% deductible |
| Phone mount, car charger | Line 22 | Equipment for deliveries |
| Phone bill — business % | Line 25 | Track your business-use percentage |
| Car washes | Line 9 | Deductible as vehicle expense |
| Parking fees | Line 9 | While dashing |
| Tolls | Line 9 | Business travel |
| Health insurance | Schedule 1 | If you pay your own premiums |
Mileage: The Core DoorDash Deduction
At $0.725/mile, mileage is almost always the biggest number on a Dasher's Schedule C.
What counts:
- All miles while the DoorDash app is active (from first pickup to last drop-off)
- Miles driving to your first pickup of the day — if you have a qualified home office
- Miles between deliveries (waiting zone to next pickup)
What doesn't count:
- Your commute from home if you have no home office
- Personal errands after you go offline
A Dasher who drives 15,000 business miles claims $10,875 in deductions from mileage alone.
Phone Deduction: How Much Can You Claim?
You can deduct the business-use percentage of your phone bill on Line 25.
How to document it:
- Log your screen time for a typical 30-day period
- Estimate what percentage is DoorDash app + navigation
- Apply that percentage to your annual bill
Example: $75/month × 12 = $900/year × 70% business = $630 deduction.
Your Insulated Bag Is a Deductible Tool
Your insulated delivery bag is business equipment — 100% deductible on Line 22. The cost is typically $30–$100, well under the $2,500 threshold that would require depreciation. Keep the receipt.
DoorDash vs. Other Platforms
If you dash AND drive for Uber Eats or Instacart, track each platform separately. CentSense client projects let you create a project per app, so you know which platform's trips are contributing most to your tax deductions.
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