DoorDash Dasher Taxes in Utah - 2025 Guide

Updated for 2025 (Filing 2024 Taxes)

Is DoorDash Dasher income taxable in Utah?

Yes, absolutely. Income earned as a DoorDash Dasher is taxable at both the federal and Utah state levels. The IRS considers you self-employed, meaning you're essentially running your own business. This impacts 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 allows you to deduct business expenses (more on that below) to arrive at your taxable profit. DoorDash will send you a Form 1099-K if you earn over $20,000 and have more than 200 deliveries. However, you are legally required to report all income, even if you don't receive a 1099-K.

Utah Specific Rules: Utah has a flat income tax rate of 4.85% for the 2024 tax year (filing in 2025). This means regardless of your income level, you'll pay 4.85% of your taxable income to the state. You'll report your federal adjusted gross income (AGI) on your Utah state income tax return (Form TC-1040) and then calculate your Utah taxable income after any applicable deductions and credits.

Top Tax Write-offs for DoorDash Dashers

As a self-employed Dasher, you can significantly reduce your tax liability by claiming eligible business expenses. Here are some key deductions:

• 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 when you accept a delivery request until you return to being fully available for new requests. Apps like Stride Tax or Everlance can help with this.
• Phone Expenses: You can deduct the portion of your cell phone bill that relates to your DoorDash work. If you use your phone solely for DoorDash, you can deduct the entire cost. Otherwise, deduct the percentage of time you use it for work.
• Hot Bags & Equipment: The cost of insulated food bags, phone mounts, dash cams, and other equipment used specifically for DoorDash is deductible.
• Software & App Fees: Any fees you pay for apps or software that help you manage your DoorDash business (like tax preparation software specifically for self-employment) are deductible.

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 profit (income minus 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 Utah Residents

Don't wait until the last minute to prepare your taxes! Keeping accurate records of your income and expenses throughout the year will make filing much easier and help you maximize your deductions. Consider using accounting software or a tax professional specializing in self-employment income. As a Utah resident, remember to file both your federal and state returns by the filing deadline (typically April 15th). Good luck, and happy dashing!