Am I required to take milage deduction when filing if I doordashed? I Don't want to take the deduction.

[xmasbaby0]

If you worked as a DoorDash driver, you have self-employment income and you must enter your business expenses.  It would be foolish to forgo entering your mileage---why would you want to skip entering that?

If you have self-employment income for which you will pay self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare,  you will need to use online Premium software or any version of the desktop software download so that you can prepare a Schedule C for your business expenses.

DOORDASH, INSTACART, GRUBHUB, ETC.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/self-employment-taxes/filing-taxes-for-on-demand-food-delivery-...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2926899-how-does-my-side-job-affect-my-taxes

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/form-1099-nec/1099-nec/L5qTsBiSe_US_en_U...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed/help/how-do-i-report-income-from-self-employment/00/...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed/help/what-is-the-self-employment-tax/00/25922

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2902389-why-am-i-paying-self-employment-tax

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901340-where-do-i-enter-schedule-c

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3398950-what-self-employed-expenses-can-i-deduct

https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/self-employed/self-employed-tax-deductions-

calculator-2021-2022-50907/

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901110-do-i-need-to-make-estimated-tax-payments-to-the-irs

If you live in a state with a state income tax, you might need to make estimated payments to your state.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/self-employed/

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/business-taxes/discussion/self-employed-don-t-miss-these-tax-moves...

[Opus 17]

Why don't you want to take the deduction?

Generally, you are expected to deduct your ordinary and necessary expenses.  If you skip the expenses so you can show a higher income to qualify for some tax credit (like the child tax credit, EITC, or IRA contributions) that can be tax fraud.   And if inflating your income does not change your tax, it could still be bank fraud. 

Story time: A person I know is a delivery driver, and was applying for a mortgage.  The bank said his income was too low -- let's say he grossed $40,000 and had $20,000 worth of mileage, showing net income of $20,000.  Even though the mileage deduction improved his cash flow, the bank was (stupidly in my opinion) looking at the net income.  If this person decided to file, leaving the mileage off his return to show a "higher" income, it would not necessarily be tax fraud, but it could be mortgage fraud.  So he smartly found another bank that was willing to work with him.  

[cox7862]

I appreciate the response. 

I know how to do it, thanks. As far as foolish not to.. well, if I don't I earn ea higher earned income credit,which, in return gives me a higher return.  So, I wanted to know if I'm required to take the deduction 

[cox7862]

Thanks yes again by not taking the deduction I have higher earned Income thus resulting In better eic, and head of household giving me higher return

[Opus 17]

---

@cox7862 wrote:

Thanks yes again by not taking the deduction I have higher earned Income thus resulting In better eic, and head of household giving me higher return

---

Here's an FAQ that applies,

I know taxpayers need to report all income, but what about expenses? What if the client doesn't want...

Revenue Ruling 56-407 PDF, 1956-2 C.B. 564, held that under IRC § 1402(a), every taxpayer (with the exception of certain farm operators) must claim all allowable deductions in computing net earnings from self-employment for self-employment tax purposes. Because earned income for EITC must include net earnings from self-employment under IRC § 1402(a), the ruling applies equally to the EITC.

[cox7862]

Thanks, that's what I needed to know. 

[AmeliesUncle]

However, that doesn't necessarily mean you need to use the Standard Milage Rate.  If you claim Actual Expenses for the vehicle, in some cases your deduction would be lower than using the Standard Milage Rate, which in your case could possibly be beneficial.