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Amazon Flex pays well. Flex drivers averaged $23.77 per hour on the job from January through August 2026, the highest of the major gig apps, according to Solo (worksolo.com), the earnings, mileage and tax app used by 1M+ gig workers. But Amazon doesn't withhold taxes or reimburse your gas, so your deductions decide how much of that pay you keep.
This guide lists the deductions Flex drivers can claim in 2026, what they're worth, and what you can't write off. Download Solo to track your Flex miles and expenses in one place.
How Amazon Flex taxes work
Flex drivers are independent contractors. Amazon sends a Form 1099-NEC if it paid you at least $2,000 in 2026, up from $600 in past years, and all Flex income is taxable whether or not you get a form. You report your income and deductions on Schedule C.
You owe two federal taxes on your profit: 15.3% self-employment tax on 92.35% of your net earnings, and income tax at your normal bracket. Every deduction lowers your profit, so it cuts both. Our guide to 1099 taxes for gig workers walks through each form.
Flex pay comes almost entirely from blocks. In Solo data, the average block paid $77 in base pay in 2026 with no tip, and Flex pay per hour rose 7.0% from 2025. See how Flex compares in our ranking of gig apps by hourly pay.
The biggest deduction: mileage
Flex is the highest-mileage gig app in Solo data. Full-time Flex drivers logged an average of 23,229 work miles from January through August 2026, across all the apps they drive for. At 2026 rates, that's roughly $17,000 in potential deductions in eight months.
The IRS standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile for January through June 2026 and 76 cents per mile from July 1 (IRS Announcement 2026-11). Miles from the delivery station through your route, and back to return packages, count. The drive from home to the station is usually treated as commuting. Our Amazon Flex mileage tracking guide breaks down exactly which miles qualify.
For most Flex drivers, the standard rate is worth far more than deducting actual car costs. Drivers who log car expenses in Solo recorded about 16.3 cents per mile in car costs in 2026, compared with the 72.5 to 76 cents the standard rate allows. Logged costs leave out depreciation, so true costs run higher, but high-mileage drivers usually come out ahead with the standard rate.
Other Amazon Flex tax deductions
Parking and tolls
Parking fees and tolls you pay during blocks are deductible on top of the standard mileage rate.
Phone and data
Deduct the business share of your phone bill. If you use your phone 70% of the time for Flex, deduct 70%. A phone mount and car charger used for deliveries count too.
Delivery gear
A hand truck or dolly, insulated bags for grocery blocks, and cargo organizers you buy for Flex are deductible.
Apps and subscriptions
Mileage trackers, tax software and other apps you use for your gig work are business expenses, including a Solo subscription.
Half of your self-employment tax
You can deduct half of the self-employment tax you pay when calculating your income tax.
Health insurance premiums
If you pay for your own health insurance and aren't eligible for an employer plan, including through a spouse, you can usually deduct the premiums.
Retirement contributions
Contributions to a SEP IRA or solo 401(k) lower your taxable income while you save for later.
Qualified business income deduction
Many Flex drivers can deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income from their income tax.
For a longer list, see what expenses delivery drivers can claim.
What Amazon Flex drivers can't deduct
- Gas, repairs and insurance, if you use the standard rate. Those costs are built into the per-mile rate.
- Your commute. The drive from home to your first delivery station is generally personal.
- The personal share of your car and phone. Only the business-use portion counts.
- Traffic and parking tickets. Fines are never deductible.
- Everyday clothing. Clothes you could wear outside of work don't qualify.
What deductions save a Flex driver: an example
Here's how common deductions add up for a Flex driver who earns $35,000 in 2026 and drives 20,000 business miles.
Together, these deductions cut this driver's self-employment tax by about $2,245, and they lower income tax too. Mileage does most of the work, which is why a complete mileage log matters more than any other record.
Keep records that hold up
Keep a dated mileage log, receipts for gear and supplies, your phone bills, and your Amazon Flex earnings statements. The IRS can generally review returns for three years after you file, so hold on to your records at least that long.
How Solo helps Flex drivers keep more
- Mileage Tracker logs every block automatically in the background, with the dates and distances the IRS expects.
- Expense tracking sorts the expenses you log into categories, so phone bills, tolls and gear are ready at tax time.
- Tax Hub estimates your quarterly taxes as you earn and helps you file at year-end.
See how Solo works for Amazon Flex drivers, or read how much Amazon Flex drivers make in Dallas. Download Solo and try any paid plan free for 7 days.
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