Monday, March 11, 2024

Do I Have To File Taxes For Instacart

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Use A Separate Schedule C And Schedule Se For Instacart If You Do Other Gigs

Filing your taxes as an Instacart shopper? | Tax Tips for Independent Contractors

If you do other gigs on the side, such as Uber delivery, other services, or independent contracting where you receive 1099 forms, donât mix it up with your other tax returns. Youâll have to file separate schedule C and schedule SE for each of the individual services.

On Schedule C, you need to fill out how much youâve earned, subtract your deductions, and find out how much you actually need to pay in taxes.

Filing Taxes With A Side Gig

The biggest thing that I learned while filing taxes for my writing side hustle is how important it was to take all the deductions I could.

Lets back up a second. When you make money as a traditional 9-5 employee, the employer is in charge of taking taxes out of your paycheck. But when youre running a side hustle, youre in charge of paying your own taxes.

This can cause a big surprise in April if you find out you made a lot of money on the side and now owe taxes. Fortunately, theres a way to decrease your taxable amount legally. Its called taking deductions.

Deductions decrease your taxable income so theyre crucial for people who want to pay fewer taxes. When I was writing on the side, my mom, an accountant, told me to deduct all my writing-related expenses, like paying for magazine subscriptions, having lunch with my editors or driving to my assignments. If I had to buy a new laptop or pay for Microsoft Word, I could deduct that too.

I loved using TurboTax to file my taxes while I was writing on the side. The software prompted me to put in all my deductions so I paid as little taxes as possible.

When you have a side hustle, the IRS has different rules for you. Technically, if you earn more than $600 in a calendar year, you have to report that income on your taxes. Most likely, the company youre side hustling for will send you a taxable income form to report .

What To Do If You Do Not Receive A 1099

Just because you do not get a 1099, does not mean the IRS will not make you pay self-employment taxes. Some reasons why you did not receive the form are that you earned less than $600 driving. This is because the IRS does not require Instacart to issue you a form if the company paid you under $600 in that tax period.

So, if you received a form, that means you made over $600 through the app.

if your net earnings were less than $400, you don’t have to report your self-employed income. However, you still have to file an income tax return.

If you made over $600 , and you did not receive a 1099, contact Instacart’s Shopper support right away. if you lose your 1099, they can be reached via email at: , on their website, or you can use the Shopper app.

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What Miles Can I Claim With Doordash Grubhub Postmates

    https://entrecourier.com/2020/02/12/what-miles-can-i-claim-with-grubhub-postmates-doordash-uber-eats/
    Whether claiming the standard mileage deduction OR actual expenses, you need to know what miles you can claim as a delivery driver contracting with gig companies like Doordas, Grubhub, Postmates, Uber Eats and others. Because hereâs the thing: to claim either one, you have to know how many miles you have driven for business.

How To Report Postmates 1099 Income

Instacart Business Address For Taxes

When you are self employed the IRS considers you a non-employee. This means that your income taxes will not be withheld for you in most cases. You are in charge of filing your own federal, state, and FICA self-employment taxes. FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act and includes Social Security and Medicare taxes.

As an independent contractor you will have to file your FICA taxes both as the employee and the employer which totals 15.3%. Combining this percentage with your federal and state taxes can be alarming. Fortunately, you are allowed to write off the employer portion, which is 7.65% in the year 2020. This is one of many write offs, keep reading for a full list of the most common Postmates 1099 tax deductible write offs.

Finally, you must make sure that your delivery company is collecting sales tax if your state requires it. Postmates is well known for being in compliance with state sales tax laws, but Uber Eats and DoorDash 1099 contractors have not in the past.

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Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments

Full-service shoppers who earn above a certain amount per year need to make quarterly estimated tax payments for federal, state, and local taxes. These payments cover what you expect to owe in income taxes for the year. You should keep track of your tax burden so that you have enough money available each quarter to make the payment.

Thankfully, you wont need to pay taxes on everything you earn from Instacart. Independent contractors can claim business expenses to reduce their taxable income. For example, you can deduct the cost of using your vehicle for business by claiming actual expenses or using the standard mileage deduction. In 2020, the standard mileage deduction was 57.5 cents.

How Social Security And Medicare Taxes Work When You Are A Self Employed Delivery Driver For Grubhub Postmates Doordash Uber Eats And Others

Actually, this is pretty much how it works when you are self employed in any situation, it’s not just tied to gig work.

Remember, Self Employment tax is charged based on your business profit, not on all the money you earn. That’s the part that you figure out on Schedule C.

Technically all this is done on Schedule SE but it’s pretty simple.

I say simple but the form looks anything but. There are a lot of lines that allow for other kinds of self employment income such as for some church workers and farm work. We’re not going to get into those things because this is about gig worker self employment tax.

Here are the steps that you’ll walk through on Schedule SE:

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Are Shopping And Delivery Gigs Self

Instacart, Shipt, Postmates, Uber Eats, and Doordash are all independent contractor positions. Similar services typically are as well. Youre classified as self-employed.

Note that some retail chains who offer their own services use their employees rather than independent contractors. In addition, some states, such as California, are forcing certain gig jobs to be reclassified as employee positions. If youre an employee, this post does not apply to you.

Choose The Right Parking Place For Your Estimated Taxes

Instacart taxes |instacart taxes mileage

It is important to put money aside for tax time, but where you put that money matters a lot. Since the money is essentially already spent, you cannot afford to take any risk with it, so the stock market is out.

You can, however, eke out some income while you are waiting to make your quarterly payments. Parking your funds in a one or three month CD, or a high-yield savings account will allow you to earn a bit of interest in the interim, so your tax money will go a little bit further

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Im Not A Tax Pro And This Is Not Tax Advice

Let me be clear: Im not a tax professional.

This is not meant to be tax advice. All Im doing here is providing information. Im trying to give you a bigger picture view of how taxes work and how they apply to you in your delivery business as you contract with Doordash, Uber Eats, Instacart, Grubhub, Postmates or any other delivery gigs.

I really really suggest you find a tax professional who understands self employment and gig economy taxes. They can look at your specific situation and help you out.

If Im not a tax pro, why would I put out a tax guide?

Because Im in the field. Im out there delivering like you are. And Ive dealt with self employed and business taxes for a number of years.

I figured that I could find the information that answers your tax questions, and put it together in a way that applies to your delivery business. Im not a tax expert but I relied a lot on tax experts to put this all together.

Get a tax pro.

And in my opinion, a tax preparer is not a tax pro. Theyre trained to do the software. Dont rely on the sign twirlers and big box store outposts.

Find someone who knows self employment tax inside and out. Theyll pay for themselves.

Tech Trouble With The Instacart App

I found several complaints from Instacart Shoppers about connectivity with the app. This can be a major headache since its your only way to see orders, delivery times, and other important information.

In fairness, it seems like the company has since fixed these bugs the latest version of the app is extremely well-rated.

Also Check: Where Is My State Refund Ga

Pay Instacart Quarterly Taxes

The first step of the Instacart shopper taxes is to calculate your estimated taxes and proactively pay estimatedincome taxes on a quarterly basis.

The IRS establishes the deadlines for the payment. We suggest you put a reminder on your phone. Missing quarterlydeadlines can mean accruing penalties and interest.

Find below the IRS quarterly estimated tax payment timeline:

  • Q1 Deadline: April 15
  • Q2 Deadline: June 15
  • Q3 Deadline: September 15, 2021
  • Q4 Deadline: January 15, 2022

Multiply Your Income Times 9235

How do I file estimated quarterly taxes?  Stride Health

What you’re doing here is giving yourself a deduction of 7.65% from your taxable profits.

Why? This makes it fair. See, when an employer pays 1/2 of your social security and medicare tax, they get to write that off their profits. It’s only fair that you get the right to do the same thing when YOU have to pay the employer part.

That’s what you’re doing here. You’re reducing your income by the 7.65% you would pay.

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You Need To Track Expenses For Each Car Separately

Your decision to use standard mileage or actual expense is one you make on a car by car basis. You might have an old beater that doesnt cost much per mile, and also a new car.

Youll want to track your expenses and business miles on both cars. You might be better off claiming the 58¢ per mile on the beater but claiming actual expense on the new car.

Does Working A 1099 Job Get Reported To Unemployment

Yes.

Theres a rising popularity of available gig jobs, like being an Instacart shopper. Thus you will likely get the opportunity to work on a contract basis even if you cant find permanent work.

Contractors dont earn benefits or have taxes withheld from their wages. So youll get 1099 instead of a W-2, at the end of the year. This is why contract workers are often known as 1099 employees.

While collecting unemployment benefits, you will have to look for a new job actively. You also have to report any and every income you earn from working while collecting unemployment.

However, it doesnt have to be reported until you get the payment in hand. For instance, if you receive partial payment, you would report only that amount. Once you receive the balance payment, you will report it separately.

Working at Instacart, you will be a 1099 employee. Besides, it could be an excellent way to supplement your unemployment benefits. Even if your benefits are reduced slightly, it will be made up for with your Instacart wages.

1040 or 1099? Employee or freelancer? Find out which of these tax forms fits your work situation:

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Can I File For Unemployment If I Get Fired From A 1099 Job

Typically, contract workers, freelance workers, and self-employed workers are not eligible for unemployment benefits.

Employers that hire employees contribute funds for unemployment insurance benefits. If you are a contract worker, you arent receiving any of the benefits of being a full-time worker. And thus youll have to pay self-employment tax.

You might be eligible for unemployment if you were misclassified as an independent contractor when you were an employee.

Each state has its own rules regarding the classification of employees and independent contractors. Generally, if you work on a project basis as in shopping for Instacart, youd be considered an independent contractor.

On the other hand, if you are attending staff meetings, reporting work hours, you can be an employee. Besides, receiving extensive supervision and training from your employer also counts. This would mean that you were possibly being misclassified as an independent contract worker and should receive unemployment benefits.

So if you are a contract worker, you will not be eligible for unemployment if you were to get fired. This includes working for Instacart, DoorDash, or any other gig work.

The 1099 thing is heating up Instacart Offers Employee Option To Its Contractors

Sol

How Strong Is A Verbal Agreement In Court

Instacart Q& A 2020 | taxes, tips $$$ and more!

Most business professionals are wary of entering into contracts orally because they can difficult to enforce in the face of the law.

If an oral contract is brought in front of a court of law, there is increased risk of one party lying about the initial terms of the agreement. This is problematic for the court, as there’s no unbiased way to conclude the case often, this will result in the case being disregarded. Moreover, it can be difficult to outline contract defects if it’s not in writing.

That being said, there are plenty of situations where enforceable contracts do not need to be written or spoken, they’re simply implied. For instance, when you buy milk from a store, you give something in exchange for something else and enter into an implied contract, in this case – money is exchanged for goods.

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Employee Vs Independent Contractor

The way you file your tax return for this innovative and evolving line of work largely depends on whether your delivery company hires you as an employee or as an independent contractor.

On-demand food companies can contract with drivers to make deliveries or hire them as employees. For employees, they will withhold from each paycheck federal income taxes on their earnings.

Independent contractors, on the other hand, have to pay their own taxes as they go by estimating the tax they owe and sending the IRS recurring payments throughout the year. You can use TurboTaxs free tax estimator to get an approximation of what you might owe.

When Should I File My Taxes

You should file your taxes at the end of the year just like anyone else.

Make sure to file before the tax deadline, which is April 15th.

If that falls on a weekend, the deadline will be the business day following the 15th.

However, you should also pay your taxes quarterly throughout the year.

Then, you wont have to pay as much at the end of the year, and you can avoid late fees.

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How Does Contract Work Affect Unemployment Benefits

Any wages that you make from contract work must be reported to unemployment.

However, this may result in your benefits being slightly reduced. At the same time, since payment for 1099 work is sporadic, your unemployment benefits will likely not be eliminated completely.

Your states unemployment commission will reduce your benefit amount based on the amount you actually receive for compensation. Besides, the reduction may not be dollar for dollar.

In Texas, for example, you can earn up to 125% of your regular benefits before your benefit is eliminated completely. Therefore, you must check with your local unemployment office to determine the exact reduction amount.

The good thing is that your benefits will only be reduced or eliminated for that week. So, if you make $500 one week, your benefits will only be eliminated for the week you made $500. And if you earn nothing the next week, you will get no reductions in benefits. You just need to ensure you meet all other requirements for collecting unemployment.

Other requirements include actively looking for work and being available as well. If youre working a particular schedule at your 1099 job, you wont be available to work full-time at a permanent-job.

This is why working for Instacart would be a great option. You work when you can on a schedule that you set. So, you can take just a couple of jobs. Thatll leave you more time to look for work. And youll be available to take on a full-time position when one comes in.

When Are 1099 Forms Sent

Instacart Business Address For Taxes

âThe deadline for all companies that are obligated to send 1099 forms to both employees and independent contractors is January, 31st. At the time of this writing in 2018, you should have already received all of the 1099 forms you were supposed to get.If you did not receive form 1099 from a company that typically means that you earned less than $600, however, this does not mean you don’t owe taxes on your earnings! You are obligated to pay taxes on all taxable income regardless of whether you’ve received a 1099 or not.

Read Also: Where’s My Tax Refund Ga

Independent Contractors: Reporting Expenses On Schedule C

As a contracted delivery driver, you may be covering 100% of your own business costs. Because these expenses dip into your earnings, you can often claim them as deductions at tax time to lower your overall tax bill.

Independent contractors are generally considered small business owners and report profits and losses on Schedule C.

As of 2020, if you earned $400 or more after expenses as an independent contractor, you will likely have to pay a self-employment tax. This covers Social Security and Medicare taxes, which is typically withheld from the paychecks of non-self-employed people by their employers, but which isnt the case for independent contractors who must estimate and pay these taxes on their own.

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