Pay stubs for gig workers
Instacart Pay Stubs: Proof of Income for Instacart shoppers
If you earn money shopping for and delivering groceries through Instacart, you have probably noticed that Instacart does not hand you a pay stub. Instacart shoppers are generally independent contractors, so there is no employer payroll to produce one. When a landlord, lender or other requester asks for proof of income, here is what you can use instead.
Does Instacart give you a pay stub?
Not a traditional one. A pay stub comes from an employer running payroll, with taxes withheld from each paycheck. As a Instacart shopper you are generally paid as a contractor, so you typically get earnings summaries in the app and a 1099 tax form at the end of the year instead. What exactly is available changes over time, so check the earnings and tax sections of the Instacart app.
What Instacart shoppers can use as proof of income
- Your 1099 forms for the year, usually a 1099-NEC or 1099-K.
- Bank statements that show your Instacart deposits.
- Your tax return, including Schedule C for self-employment income.
- The earnings summaries available in the Instacart app.
- An earnings statement in pay stub format, prepared from your real earnings for the period requested.
- A proof of income letter that summarizes what you earned.
Requirements vary, so ask the landlord, lender or employer which documents they accept before you send anything. For more options, read our guide on how to show proof of income without pay stubs.
How to make an earnings statement for your Instacart income
- Gather your real numbers: the earnings for the period from the Instacart app and the deposits in your bank account.
- Open the pay stub generator and choose Contractor as the worker type.
- Enter your name, your business or gig name, your state and the pay period you want to cover.
- Enter your actual gross earnings for that period and review the live preview.
- Pay and download the PDF. You get a preview before you pay.
Use only real figures. A statement that does not match your actual earnings can be rejected, and giving false income information to a landlord or lender can have serious consequences. EasyIncomeDocs is for accurate record-keeping.
Taxes for Instacart shoppers
Because nothing is withheld from your Instacart payouts, you are responsible for your own income tax and self-employment tax. Our free paycheck calculator shows how withholding works for employees, which can help you see how much to set aside, and a tax professional can give advice for your situation.
Instacart pay stub questions
Does Instacart give you pay stubs?
Not in the traditional sense. Instacart shoppers are generally independent contractors rather than employees, so there is no employer payroll and no pay stub. You usually have earnings summaries inside the app and, at tax time, a 1099 form. Check the earnings and tax sections of the Instacart app for exactly what is available to you.
How do Instacart shoppers show proof of income?
The most widely accepted documents are your 1099 forms, your bank statements showing Instacart deposits, and your tax return with Schedule C. Many people also keep an earnings statement in a pay stub format, built from their real earnings, to hand to a landlord, lender or other requester.
Can I use a 1099 instead of a Instacart pay stub?
Often, yes. A 1099 shows what you were paid for the year, and many landlords and lenders accept it together with bank statements. Some also ask for recent pay stubs, which is why people create an earnings statement for the period they need. Ask the requester what they accept.
Is a pay stub I make for my Instacart earnings accepted?
Acceptance depends on who asks for it. A statement is only appropriate when every number reflects income you actually earned, and many requesters also want bank statements or tax documents to confirm it. Use it for your own records, or as supporting paperwork, and never to claim income you did not earn.
Do I pay taxes on Instacart income?
Yes. Independent contractors are generally responsible for their own taxes, including self-employment tax, which is 15.3% of net earnings (12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare), and income tax. Nothing is withheld automatically, so many Instacart shoppers set money aside from each payout. A tax professional can tell you what applies to you.
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EasyIncomeDocs is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Instacart. Instacart is a trademark of its owner and is used here only to describe the work this page is about.