How much should I put aside for tax?
Base it on your estimated profit rather than a percentage of turnover.
Last checked 12/09/2026.
The common advice - put aside 20% or 30% of everything you earn - is wrong in both directions for delivery drivers, because it ignores the mileage allowance.
The reliable method is to track your profit as you go and set aside the tax on that profit. JoltMile does this per shift: it estimates income tax and Class 4 NI on your running profit and shows the figure to set aside, which is a much better guide than a fixed percentage of turnover.
Remember payments on account (opens in a new tab) if your bill reaches £1,000. In that first January you pay one and a half times your bill, not one times it.
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How much tax will I pay as a delivery driver?
Income tax at 20% on profit above £12,570, plus Class 4 National Insurance at 6%.
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How JoltMile estimates your tax
Income tax and Class 4 National Insurance on your running profit, using the 2026/27 bands.
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