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Printable reward app tracker
Unlock the printable bonusOptional: the bonus unlocks after you complete one sponsored offer from our partner, such as trying an app or a survey, and we earn a commission when you do. This guide is free to read either way.
A printable kit from our sister site, Reward Apps Guide: a tracker for minutes, points and payouts per app, a worksheet that turns points into a real hourly rate, a red-flag checklist and your own stop rules.
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Delivery and driving apps show you what an order pays. What matters is what's left after your car costs, fees and unpaid waiting time. Many drivers only work this out at tax time. Here's a simple method you can use after your first week.
Reality check: apps, surveys and gigs can add a little extra money. Most people earn small amounts, and none of this is a reliable income. We never promise a payout, and we don't list anything that asks you to pay to start.
Step 1: track three numbers for a week
- Total pay received (including tips), from the app's earnings screen.
- Total time logged in, including waiting for orders, not just time on deliveries.
- Total miles driven while working, including driving to restaurants and back to busy areas.
Step 2: put a price on your miles
The easiest yardstick for the full cost of running a car (fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance and depreciation) is the IRS standard mileage rate. For business miles it's 72.5 cents a mile for January to June 2026 and 76 cents a mile from July 1 to December 31, 2026, according to the IRS standard mileage rates page. Your real cost may be lower in an efficient older car and higher in a new or thirsty one, but it's a fair starting point.
Step 3: do the sum
Real hourly pay = (pay received − miles × cost per mile − other costs) ÷ hours logged in
Illustration: $110 received for 6 hours logged in and 70 miles driven. Car cost at 76 cents a mile is $53.20. That leaves $56.80, or about $9.47 an hour, before income and self-employment taxes. The same week on a bike, with almost no vehicle cost, leaves much more of the $110.
What raises real pay
- Turning down long-distance, low-pay orders (check each app's rules on acceptance rates first).
- Working peak hours rather than waiting through quiet ones.
- Shorter trips: a bike or scooter in a dense area can beat a car.
- Keeping a mileage log: business miles can be deducted using the standard rate (see IRS Topic 510), which lowers your tax bill.
Taxes come out of what's left
Gig apps don't withhold tax. You may owe self-employment tax (15.3%) on net earnings of $400 or more, plus income tax, and may need to pay estimated tax quarterly. Our side hustle tax guide explains the basics.
Optional: free printable reward app tracker
A printable kit from our sister site, Reward Apps Guide: a tracker for minutes, points and payouts per app, a worksheet that turns points into a real hourly rate, a red-flag checklist and your own stop rules.
Unlock the reward app tracker + worksheet (requires trying a sponsored offer)
Optional and sponsored: the bonus unlocks after you complete one offer from our partner, such as trying an app or a survey, and we earn a commission when you do. This guide is complete without it.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my real delivery app pay?
Subtract car costs (miles times a cost per mile, such as the IRS rate) and other costs from what you received, then divide by all the hours you were logged in, including waiting.
What is the IRS mileage rate for 2026?
For business use, 72.5 cents a mile from January 1 to June 30, 2026, and 76 cents a mile from July 1 to December 31, 2026.
Do delivery apps take out taxes?
No. Drivers are usually independent contractors, so no tax is withheld. You're responsible for income tax and self-employment tax on your net earnings.
Sources
Official sources this article relies on, checked October 17, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm details at the source.
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