Updated for 2026 (Filing 2025 Taxes)
Navigating the bustling streets of Atlanta as a TaskRabbit offers incredible flexibility, but it also means you're essentially running your own small business. Whether you're mounting TVs in Buckhead or helping someone move in Midtown, your earnings are considered self-employment income. This means you won't see taxes taken out of your payouts, so it's your responsibility to track your expenses and report your income to both the IRS and the Georgia Department of Revenue.
To stay on top of your game, the IRS requires self-employed individuals to report their profit or loss on Schedule C of Form 1040. If your net earnings exceed $400, you'll also need to pay self-employment taxes. These taxes cover your contributions to Social Security and Medicare. Don't let the paperwork intimidate you: staying organized throughout the year is the best way to protect your hard-earned cash.
One of the most powerful tools in your tax arsenal is the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction. Many TaskRabbits don't realize they can potentially deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income from their federal income tax. This is a significant "above-the-line" deduction that can dramatically lower your taxable income. It's designed specifically for small business owners and gig workers who operate as sole proprietors or pass-through entities. When you're calculating your year-end liability, ensure you're checking your eligibility for this 20% savings.
To take the guesswork out of your filings, we recommend using our Advanced Calculator. It's designed to help you make the most important choice in vehicle deductions: Standard Mileage vs. Actual Expenses.
Georgia recently transitioned to a flat income tax system, which simplifies things for Atlanta residents. For the 2025 tax year, the state income tax rate is 5.49%. Even if you think you don't owe much, you're still required to file a state return (Form 500) if you meet the filing thresholds.
The state of Georgia generally follows federal guidelines for business deductions, meaning the same expenses you claim on your federal Schedule C will help lower your Georgia tax bill. Given Atlanta's high cost of parking and the frequent tolls on the Peach Pass lanes, you should be meticulous about saving every receipt. If you're working heavily in specific business districts, it's also worth checking if you need a local business license, though most individual TaskRabbits fall under general state guidelines. You can find the latest updates at the Georgia Department of Revenue website: https://dor.georgia.gov/.
A quick pro-tip: You can't switch back and forth between Standard Mileage and Actual Expenses mid-year. If you want to use the standard mileage rate, you must choose to use it in the first year the car is available for business use. Our calculator can help you model which method will save you more in the long run.
When you're an employee, your boss pays half of your Social Security and Medicare taxes. When you're the boss, you pay both halves. This totals 15.3% (12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare). Because TaskRabbit doesn't withhold this for you, it's smart to set aside about 25% to 30% of every payout to cover both your income tax and this self-employment tax. Most Taskers find it easiest to make quarterly estimated payments to the IRS to avoid a large "tax surprise" and potential penalties in April.
Estimate your taxes using current IRS rules.
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*Disclaimer: This is a simplified estimate. Includes SE Tax, State Tax, and QBI Deduction impact. Consult a CPA.
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