Your first week
You can sign up for most of these 44 platforms in a day. Here's what to sort out before your first shift so taxes, insurance, and payouts don't catch you off guard.
On net earnings of $400 or more, plus income tax.
Then April 15, June 15, September 15.
Per business mile, from July 1 through December 31, 2026.
Everyone
Have a bank account or debit card ready
Platforms pay by direct deposit or to a debit card, and faster cash-out options usually need a debit card. Check the app's payout terms before your first cash-out, since instant transfers can carry a fee.
If you're an independent contractor
Set aside money for taxes
Nobody withholds taxes from contract pay. If your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more in a year, you owe self-employment tax of 15.3% (Social Security and Medicare) on top of regular income tax. You have to report all of it, even if the platform never sends you a 1099. Move a share of every payout into a separate account so the bill doesn't surprise you.
Source: IRS: Self-employment tax · IRS: Manage taxes for your gig work
Know the quarterly tax dates
Independent contractors may need to pay estimated taxes four times a year to avoid a penalty: April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. If a date lands on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. If you also have a regular W-2 job, you can have extra tax withheld from that paycheck instead, using a new Form W-4.
Keep receipts and payout records
Save receipts for work expenses (phone, gear, supplies, fees) and keep a record of every payout. Deductible expenses lower the tax you owe, but only if you can show them. A free spreadsheet works; so does a separate debit card used only for work costs.
If you drive your own car
Track every mile you drive
Business miles are usually the biggest deduction drivers have. The IRS standard rate is 76 cents a mile for business miles driven from July 1 through December 31, 2026 (72.5 cents for January 1 through June 30, 2026). Log miles from the moment you head out to work, not just while you're on a delivery or ride, and keep the log with your tax records. A mileage-tracking app that runs in the background makes this automatic.
Source: IRS Announcement 2026-11 (midyear rate change) · IRS Notice 2026-10 (2026 rates)
Check your car insurance first
Most personal auto policies don't cover driving for work, and an insurer can cancel a policy if you drive for an app without telling them. Rideshare companies cover you only in certain periods, mostly once you've accepted a trip, and some delivery apps provide no auto coverage at all. Ask your insurer for a rideshare or delivery add-on (or a commercial policy where that isn't offered) before your first shift.
If it's a W-2 job
Bring ID that proves you can work
Every US employer has to complete Form I-9 for new hires, so bring original, unexpired documents: one from List A (like a US passport), or one from List B (like a driver's license or state ID) plus one from List C (like a Social Security card or birth certificate). Your employer has to finish checking them within three business days after you start, or on day one for shorter jobs.
Source: USCIS: Form I-9 acceptable documents · USCIS Handbook for Employers (M-274), Section 2
Last checked November 2026. This is general information, not tax, legal, or insurance advice. Rules depend on your situation, so check with the IRS, your insurer, or a tax preparer.