DoorDash Dasher Taxes in Georgia - 2025 Guide

Updated for 2025 (Filing 2024 Taxes)

Is DoorDash Dasher income taxable in Georgia?

Yes, absolutely. Income earned as a DoorDash Dasher is taxable at both the federal and Georgia state levels. The IRS considers you self-employed, meaning you're essentially running your own business. This has implications for how you report your income and pay taxes.

Federal Requirements: You'll report your DoorDash earnings on Schedule C (Profit or Loss From Business) as part of your Form 1040. This form is where you detail your income and your deductible business expenses. The difference between your income and expenses is your net profit, which is then added to your other income when calculating your adjusted gross income (AGI).

Georgia Specific Rules: Georgia has a flat income tax rate of 5.49% for the 2024 tax year (filing in 2025). Your net profit from your Schedule C will be added to your other income, and this total taxable income will be subject to the 5.49% rate. Georgia also allows for a standard deduction, which can reduce your taxable income. For 2024, the standard deduction for single filers is $5,400, and for married filing jointly, it's $10,800 (these amounts are subject to change, so always verify with the Georgia Department of Revenue).

Top Tax Write-offs for DoorDash Dashers

As a self-employed individual, you can significantly reduce your tax liability by claiming legitimate business expenses. Here are some key deductions for DoorDash Dashers:

• Mileage: This is often the biggest deduction! For 2024, the standard mileage rate is 67 cents per mile for business use. Keep a detailed log of all miles driven while "on duty" – from the time you accept an order until you complete it. Apps like Stride Tax or Everlance can help with this.
• Phone Expenses: You likely use your phone for navigation, accepting orders, and communicating with customers. You can deduct the percentage of your phone bill that relates to business use. If you use your phone 100% for DoorDash, you can deduct the entire bill.
• Hot Bags & Other Equipment: The cost of items like insulated hot bags, phone mounts, dash cams, and even a portion of your car payment (if you use the actual expense method instead of mileage) are deductible.
• DoorDash Software/Subscription Fees: Any fees you pay directly to DoorDash for access to their platform or for premium features can be deducted.

The 15.3% Self-Employment Tax Surprise

When you're an employee, your employer pays half of your Social Security and Medicare taxes. As a self-employed individual, you're responsible for both the employer and employee portions – a total of 15.3%. This is called self-employment tax.

You'll calculate this on Schedule SE (Self-Employment Tax). The good news is you only pay self-employment tax on your net profit (after deducting business expenses). Also, you don't pay self-employment tax on the portion of your earnings that exceeds the Social Security wage base ($168,600 for 2024). You can deduct one-half of your self-employment tax from your gross income on Form 1040.

Closing Tip for Georgia Residents

Being a DoorDash Dasher offers flexibility, but it also comes with tax responsibilities. Don't wait until the last minute! Keep meticulous records of your income and expenses throughout the year. Consider using accounting software or a tax professional specializing in self-employment to ensure you're maximizing your deductions and complying with both federal and Georgia tax laws. The Georgia Department of Revenue website (https://dor.georgia.gov/) is a valuable resource for state-specific information.