Complete Tax Guide for Grab & Rideshare Drivers

How Grab, Angkas, and rideshare drivers are taxed in the Philippines in 2026: BIR registration, the 8% flat rate vs graduated income tax plus percentage tax, deductible expenses, and quarterly and annual filing deadlines.

Last Updated: January 1, 2025

Written and reviewed by the TaxCalculator.com.ph Editorial Team, led by Aditya Aman, Founder

Quick Answer

Grab and rideshare income is self-employment business income taxed by the BIR. After registering, you choose either the 8% flat tax on gross receipts above ₱250,000 (replacing income tax and percentage tax) or graduated income tax (0-35%) plus 3% percentage tax. Estimate your bill with the TaxCalculator.com.ph income tax calculator.

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Key Takeaways

  • check_circleGrab, Angkas, and rideshare income is self-employment business income — you must register with the BIR; the platform does not withhold your income tax.
  • check_circleYour taxable gross receipts are total fares and incentives BEFORE Grab's commission, not your net payout.
  • check_circlePick one: 8% flat tax on receipts over ₱250,000 (replaces income tax and percentage tax), OR graduated rates (0-35%) plus 3% percentage tax.
  • check_circleThe 8% rate suits low-expense drivers; graduated wins for full-time drivers with heavy, documented fuel, commission, and boundary costs.
  • check_circle2026 quarterly income tax (1701Q) is due May 15, Aug 15, and Nov 15; the annual ITR (Form 1701) is due April 15.
  • check_circleThe ₱500 annual BIR registration fee was abolished in January 2024 under the Ease of Paying Taxes Act (RA 11976).

Tax Obligations

BIR Registration

Register as self-employed using BIR Form 1901 on or before you start earning, regardless of income level (NIRC Section 236). You receive your TIN and Certificate of Registration (Form 2303).

Deadline:On or before commencement of business
Form:1901

Annual Income Tax Return

File Form 1701 (or 1701A if you use the 8% flat rate or the optional standard deduction), reporting your full-year income and tax due.

Deadline:April 15 of the following year
Form:1701 or 1701A

Quarterly Income Tax Return

File Form 1701Q for the first three quarters, reporting cumulative income and any creditable withholding tax.

Deadline:May 15 (Q1), August 15 (Q2), November 15 (Q3)
Form:1701Q

Quarterly Percentage Tax

If you are non-VAT (gross sales below the P3,000,000 threshold), file Form 2551Q and pay 3% percentage tax on gross receipts. Not required if you elected the 8% flat rate, which already covers percentage tax.

Deadline:Within 25 days after the close of each quarter
Form:2551Q

Registration Process

01

Get or verify your TIN

If you do not yet have a Tax Identification Number, secure one. If you were previously employed, transfer your records to the RDO covering your business address.

  • Valid government ID
02

File BIR Form 1901 at your RDO

Submit the registration form for self-employed individuals at the Revenue District Office covering your address.

  • BIR Form 1901
  • Valid ID
  • Proof of address
  • DTI Certificate (if using a business name)
03

Pay the DST and get your Certificate of Registration

Pay the P30 loose documentary stamp tax. The P500 annual registration fee was abolished in 2024 under the Ease of Paying Taxes Act (RA 11976). You then receive your Certificate of Registration (Form 2303).

  • BIR Form 2303 (issued to you)
04

Register your books of accounts

Register manual, loose-leaf, or computerized books of accounts before recording transactions.

  • Books of accounts
05

Register receipts or sales invoices

Apply for Authority to Print (Form 1906) or register for BIR e-invoicing, then issue official receipts or sales invoices to buyers and clients.

  • BIR Form 1906
06

Choose your tax regime

Elect either the 8% flat tax on gross receipts above P250,000, or graduated rates plus 3% percentage tax. The 8% option is often simpler and cheaper for smaller earners.

Applicable Taxes

Tax Calculators for Grab & Rideshare Drivers

Common Questions

Yes. The BIR treats Grab and rideshare earnings as self-employment business income. Drivers must register with the BIR, file quarterly and annual returns, and pay income tax (and percentage tax unless on the 8% flat rate). The platform does not withhold or remit income tax on your fares.

Your taxable gross receipts are total fares and incentives before Grab deducts its commission. You cannot report only your net payout. Under the graduated option the commission becomes a deductible expense; under the 8% flat rate, no expenses are deducted at all.

The 8% flat tax (on receipts over ₱250,000, replacing income and percentage tax) is simplest and best for drivers with low expenses. Graduated rates plus 3% percentage tax usually win for full-time drivers with heavy, documented fuel, commission, and boundary costs. Run both on a calculator first.

Under the graduated option you can deduct fuel, Grab's commission, boundary or vehicle rental, depreciation of an owned car, maintenance and repairs, insurance, LTFRB and registration fees, toll, and parking. Keep official receipts, or use the 40% Optional Standard Deduction instead of itemising.

Grab driver-partners file Form 1701 for the annual income tax return — not the simpler 1701A — because they may have mixed income or itemised deductions. They also file Form 1701Q quarterly, and Form 2551Q for percentage tax if they chose the graduated option.

Quarterly income tax (Form 1701Q) is due May 15, August 15, and November 15, 2026. The annual ITR (Form 1701) is due April 15. Percentage tax (Form 2551Q), if applicable, is due on the 25th day after each quarter ends. Deadlines on weekends or holidays roll to the next working day.

If you also earn a salary, you are a mixed-income earner. Your salary is taxed under graduated rates via employer withholding, and you cannot use the 8% flat rate in lieu of everything. You still register and file Form 1701, combining your compensation income and your Grab business income.

Yes. As a self-employed driver you pay your own mandatory SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG contributions in full, since there is no employer to share the cost. Budget for these alongside your tax using the current 2026 SSS and PhilHealth contribution tables.

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