postmates, now under the uber umbrella.
since the 2020 acquisition, postmates pay flows through uber eats infrastructure. but if you're still on a separate 1099 or have legacy earnings, here's the math.
free 2026 postmates tax calculator: self-employment tax, mileage deduction at 72.5¢/mile, federal & state brackets, and quarterly estimated payments for postmates food delivery 1099 contractors.
your postmates math
the form arrives. or it doesn't. you still owe.
postmates couriers get a delivery fee + tips, similar to uber eats. the brand still exists in some markets but the back-end is uber. for tax purposes treat it the same as uber eats — gross delivery payout, no withholding, self-employment.
couriers who started with postmates pre-merger sometimes have lingering legacy 1099-Ks separate from uber's. if you saw two forms one year and one the next, that's the migration. don't double-report — but make sure neither was forgotten.
5 deductions specific to postmates
mileage for cars, actual expenses for bikes, insulated bags, phone, mount.
postmates was strong on catering for years. the bag you bought specifically for those orders deducts.
the onboarding fee postmates or uber charged you is deductible the year you paid it.
if you have a dedicated workspace in your home for managing your gig accounts, you may qualify for the home office deduction — but it has to be exclusive and regular use.
tires worn out from delivery, brake pads, oil changes — all deductible if you don't take the standard mileage rate.
former postmates driver still seeing legacy 1099, $14k gross, 9,000 miles
ca's flat-ish income tax stacks with se tax. realistic take-home after deductions: ~$10k. if you got a postmates 1099 AND an uber 1099 in the same year, double-check that the totals don't overlap.
postmates, specifically
is postmates still its own thing?+
the brand still operates in some markets but the company is fully owned by uber. payouts now flow through uber's contractor system in most regions.
i drove for postmates in march and uber eats since april. one 1099 or two?+
usually one combined 1099 from uber for the year. log into the uber tax portal to confirm. if you see two, neither should overlap dates.
are postmates fees different from uber eats?+
behind the scenes, almost identical now. base fee + distance + tips, no withholding, you owe se tax.
any deductions specific to postmates?+
no — same playbook as any food delivery: mileage, insulated bags, phone use percentage, tolls, parking.
also drive, sell, host, or stream elsewhere? combine on one schedule c.
your postmates 1099 income gets added to every other gig you do for the year. one self-employment return covers all of it — and miles, fees, and home-office allocations may apply across platforms.