Grubhub and DoorDash use identical tax rules — both are 1099 independent contractors, both owe 15.3% SE tax, and both get the same IRS mileage deduction. The only difference is how much you earn and how many miles you drive, which affects your total tax bill.
If you drive for both Grubhub and DoorDash (a common strategy called "multi-apping"), you might wonder: do the two platforms have different tax rules? Do I file separately? Is one better for taxes?
The good news: the IRS doesn't care which app you're using. Both platforms classify drivers as independent contractors, and the tax rules are identical.
- Both Grubhub and DoorDash classify drivers as 1099 contractors — same 15.3% SE tax
- Grubhub pays weekly via direct deposit; DoorDash offers Fast Pay daily for $1.99
- Both send 1099-NEC for earnings $2,000+ in 2026
- Mileage at 72.5¢/mile is the largest deduction for both platforms
- Tips up to $25,000 are federally deductible from both platforms under OBBBA 2026
Self-employed individuals must pay estimated taxes quarterly if they expect to owe at least $1,000 in federal tax for the year.— IRS.gov — Self-Employed Tax Center
Side-by-Side Tax Comparison
What Actually Differs: Income & Miles
The real difference between Grubhub and DoorDash taxes is simply how much you earn and how many miles you drive for each platform. Grubhub tends to have longer distances between restaurant and customer, which means more mileage — and more mileage = bigger deduction.
Filing Taxes When You Drive for Both
If you drive for both Grubhub and DoorDash, you file a single Schedule C combining all self-employment income. You don't file two separate Schedule Cs unless you run them as genuinely separate business activities (rare).
Which Platform Is "Better" for Taxes?
Neither — the tax math is identical. Choose your platform based on earnings per hour, not tax implications. If one platform pays better after expenses, drive for that one more. From a tax perspective, it makes zero difference.