Working as a SkipTheDishes delivery driver gives you flexibility and independence, but it also means you’re considered self-employed for tax purposes. That means you’re responsible for tracking your income and expenses and filing taxes as a business owner, not an employee. To make tax season less stressful (and to maximize your refunds), here’s what you should prepare before filing.
1. Income Records
SkipTheDishes will provide you with a yearly summary of your earnings, usually available in your driver portal. This includes your delivery fees, tips, and incentives. Save:
- Annual income summary (from SkipTheDishes)
- Bank statements showing deposits
- Any additional income from other gig apps (Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc.)
Tip: CRA requires you to report all income earned from self-employment, even if you didn’t receive a T4 or T4A slip.
2. Expense Records (Keep Receipts!)
You can claim eligible expenses to lower your taxable income. Keep receipts for:
- Vehicle expenses: gas, oil changes, maintenance, insurance, car washes
- Cell phone bills: percentage used for work (GPS, order tracking, customer calls)
- Supplies: insulated food bags, masks, gloves, sanitizer
- Parking & tolls: only when directly related to deliveries
Pro Tip: Track your mileage! Keep a logbook (or use an app) to record total kilometers driven and the portion used for deliveries. CRA allows you to claim the business-use percentage of vehicle expenses.
3. Business Use of Home (if applicable)
If you regularly use a dedicated space at home for managing your delivery work (tracking earnings, storing supplies, etc.), you may be able to claim part of your home expenses, such as:
- Rent or mortgage interest
- Utilities
- Internet
The claim must be proportional to the size of the workspace and the hours used for business.
4. Taxes Already Paid
SkipTheDishes doesn’t deduct income tax, CPP, or EI from your pay. That means you need to calculate and set aside money for taxes yourself. If you’ve already made any instalment payments to CRA, keep those receipts so you don’t get double-charged.
5. Other Key Documents
- Government ID and Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Prior year’s tax return (for reference)
- Banking information for direct deposit of refunds
6. Organizing Your Records
The easiest way to stay prepared is to organize documents monthly instead of scrambling at year-end. Many drivers use:
- Spreadsheet or bookkeeping apps to track income & expenses
- Receipt scanner apps to keep digital copies
- Folders (physical or digital) for each tax category
Final Thoughts
As a SkipTheDishes driver, you’re your own boss—meaning you get to claim business expenses, but also carry the responsibility of accurate tax reporting. Preparing the right documents will not only help you avoid CRA headaches but also ensure you keep more of your hard-earned money.
If you’re unsure about what you can claim or how to file properly, consider getting professional help. We at FILETAXHERE specialize in helping gig workers, newcomers, and self-employed individuals file correctly while maximizing refunds.
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