DoorDash Mileage Deduction 2026: $0.70/Mile and How to Claim It

If you drive for DoorDash, every mile you travel for business reduces your taxable self-employment income. The 2026 IRS standard mileage rate is $0.70 per mile — meaning for every 1,000 miles, you deduct $700 from your net self-employment income.

What Miles Count?

• Miles from the moment you accept an order to the drop-off
• Miles driving to a restaurant to pick up an order
• Miles between deliveries (debated — keep a log)

Miles from home to your first delivery, and from your last delivery back home, generally don't count (commuting rule). Use an app like Stride, MileIQ, or the Dasher app's built-in tracker to automatically log business miles.

How It Reduces Your Taxes

The mileage deduction reduces your net self-employment income. This has a double benefit:

• It reduces your SE tax base (15.3% on the net amount)
• It reduces your adjusted gross income, lowering federal income tax too

A $10,500 mileage deduction saves approximately $1,607 in SE tax alone (15.3% × 92.35% × $10,500), plus additional federal income tax savings.

Standard Mileage vs. Actual Expense Method

You can either take the standard $0.70/mile deduction or deduct actual vehicle costs (gas, insurance, depreciation, etc.). You must choose one method — and if you use the standard mileage rate in the first year, you can switch later. Most dashers find the mileage rate simpler and more favorable.