TL;DR

Roadie drivers are independent contractors and owe 15.3% self-employment tax plus income tax on their profit.

For 2026, Roadie only has to send a 1099-NEC if it paid you at least $2,000, but all Roadie income is taxable.

Full-time Roadie drivers logged 12,487 work miles from January through August 2026, roughly $9,200 in potential deductions, according to Solo data.

The next estimated tax payment is due January 15, 2027.

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Roadie pays you per gig with no taxes taken out, so tax season can bring a surprise bill if you don't plan ahead. Solo (worksolo.com), the earnings, mileage and tax app for gig workers, sees the same pattern every year: Roadie gigs cover a lot of miles, and those miles are the key to a lower tax bill. Full-time Roadie drivers logged an average of 12,487 work miles from January through August 2026, across all the apps they drive for. At the 2026 IRS rates, that's roughly $9,200 in potential deductions.

This guide explains what Roadie drivers owe in 2026, the new 1099 rules, which deductions to claim, and when to pay. Download Solo to track your Roadie income and miles in one place.

Do Roadie drivers pay taxes?

Yes. Roadie drivers are independent contractors, not employees. Roadie doesn't withhold anything from your pay, so you owe two federal taxes on your profit:

  • Self-employment tax: 15.3% (12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare), applied to 92.35% of your net earnings. It kicks in once you net $400 or more for the year.
  • Federal income tax: charged at your normal bracket on your profit after deductions.

Most states also charge income tax. All of these are calculated on your profit, meaning what's left after expenses, not on everything Roadie pays you.

How much do Roadie drivers make?

In Solo data, Roadie drivers averaged $9.66 per hour on the job from January through August 2026, down 11.5% from the same months of 2025. That's the lowest of the major gig apps Solo tracks. The average gig paid $10.90, and Roadie drivers typically received no tip. For ways to raise that number, see our guide to how much Roadie drivers make and our breakdown of Roadie pay in Dallas.

With lower hourly pay and long drives, deductions make a bigger difference for Roadie drivers than for most gig workers. Business miles can wipe out a large share of your taxable profit.

Roadie 1099 forms: what changed in 2026

Starting with payments made in 2026, a platform only has to send you a Form 1099-NEC if it paid you at least $2,000 during the year, up from $600. This change comes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The threshold will rise with inflation starting in 2027.

Two things to know:

  • No 1099 doesn't mean no tax. If Roadie paid you $1,500 in 2026, you won't get a form, but you still have to report all of that income.
  • Forms arrive early in 2027. If yours is missing or looks wrong, contact Roadie support before you file.

You report Roadie income and expenses on Schedule C and calculate self-employment tax on Schedule SE, both attached to Form 1040. Our guide to 1099 taxes for gig workers walks through each form.

Roadie tax deductions that lower your bill

Mileage

Mileage is the largest deduction for most Roadie drivers. In 2026, the IRS rate is 72.5 cents per mile for January through June and 76 cents per mile from July 1 (IRS Announcement 2026-11). Driving to a pickup, carrying the item to its destination, and driving between gigs all count. Keep a dated log with the miles, destination and purpose of each trip. Read more about the 2026 mid-year mileage rate increase.

Parking and tolls

Parking fees and tolls you pay during gigs are deductible on top of the standard mileage rate.

Phone and data

Deduct the share of your phone bill you use for Roadie. If 60% of your use is for work, deduct 60%.

Delivery supplies

Moving blankets, straps, bungee cords, dollies and cargo organizers you buy for Roadie gigs are deductible.

Apps and services

Subscriptions to mileage trackers and tax software you use for your gig work are deductible business expenses.

Qualified business income deduction

Many self-employed drivers can also deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income. This deduction reduces income tax only, not self-employment tax.

For a longer list, see what expenses delivery drivers can claim.

How much mileage saves you: an example

Here's how tracking 15,000 business miles affects self-employment tax for a Roadie driver who earns $30,000 in 2026. The example uses 74.25 cents per mile, the average of the two 2026 rates, which assumes the miles are spread evenly across the year.

2026 example No miles tracked 15,000 miles tracked
Roadie earnings$30,000$30,000
Mileage deduction$0$11,138
Taxable profit$30,000$18,863
Self-employment tax$4,239$2,665

Illustrative example. Mileage at 74.25¢ per mile, the average of the 2026 IRS rates (72.5¢ Jan–Jun, 76¢ Jul–Dec). Self-employment tax at 15.3% of 92.35% of profit. Excludes income tax. Rates verified October 5, 2026.

Logging those miles saves about $1,574 in self-employment tax alone. Your income tax goes down too, by an amount that depends on your bracket.

Roadie quarterly taxes and 2026 deadlines

Since nothing is withheld, the IRS expects you to pay estimated taxes during the year if you'll owe $1,000 or more. The 2026 deadlines are:

  • April 15, 2026 (Q1)
  • June 15, 2026 (Q2)
  • September 15, 2026 (Q3)
  • January 15, 2027 (Q4)

Your 2026 tax return is due April 15, 2027. If you haven't paid yet this year, the January 15 payment is your next chance to reduce underpayment penalties.

A common rule of thumb is to set aside 25% to 30% of your profit. Solo's Tax Hub works out what you owe as you earn, so you know how much to set aside each quarter.

How Solo makes Roadie taxes easier

Solo is built for drivers like you:

  • Mileage Tracker logs every Roadie gig automatically in the background, with dates and distances the IRS expects.
  • Earnings tracking pulls your Roadie pay in next to your other gig apps, so you see your real hourly rate.
  • Tax Hub estimates your quarterly taxes and helps you file when the year is done.

Download Solo and start your 7-day free trial.

Roadie driver tax FAQs

Do Roadie drivers have to pay taxes?

Yes. Roadie drivers are independent contractors. If you make $400 or more in profit, you owe 15.3% self-employment tax plus federal income tax, whether or not you get a 1099.

Will I get a 1099 from Roadie in 2026?

Roadie must send a 1099-NEC if it pays you at least $2,000 in 2026, up from $600 in past years. If you earn less, you still have to report every dollar.

What can Roadie drivers deduct?

Mileage is the biggest deduction. Roadie drivers can also deduct parking and tolls, the business share of their phone, delivery supplies like straps and blankets, and tracking or tax apps used for the work.

When are Roadie quarterly taxes due?

Estimated taxes for 2026 are due April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. Your 2026 tax return is due April 15, 2027.

How much should a Roadie driver set aside for taxes?

A common rule of thumb is 25% to 30% of your profit after expenses. Solo's Tax Hub estimates what you owe as you earn, so you can adjust as you go.