Platform taxes

Rover Sitter Taxes: What Dog Walkers and Boarders Need to Know

Updated October 28, 2026 · Sources: IRS.gov · Planning information, not tax advice

In short: Rover sitters and dog walkers are independent contractors who must report all earnings on Schedule C, deduct business expenses like pet supplies and mileage, and pay self-employment tax if net earnings reach $400 or more.

Earning money as a pet sitter or dog walker through the Rover platform means you are operating your own independent business in the eyes of the IRS. Because Rover does not withhold taxes from your payouts, you are entirely responsible for tracking your income, understanding tax forms like the 1099-K, and paying your income and self-employment taxes directly. Whether you provide boarding, house sitting, drop-in visits, or walks, proper recordkeeping ensures you only pay tax on your true net profit.

Understanding Your Rover Tax Forms

Rover tracks all client payments processed through its platform and issues tax documents when certain criteria are met. As a third-party settlement organization utilizing Stripe, Rover issues Form 1099-K to sitters who cross the official 1099-K threshold of $20,000 in gross payments and 200 transactions. Some sitters might also receive a 1099-NEC reflecting net payouts for specific promotional or service categories. It is vital to remember that receiving a form is not the trigger for taxation; all income earned through the platform is taxable, even if your total earnings fall below the reporting threshold.

Deductible Expenses for Pet Sitters

Running a pet care business incurs various costs that you can write off to lower your taxable income. You can deduct pet supplies, treats, cleaning products, and crates purchased for client animals. If you board animals in your home, you can claim the business-use share of your home under IRS rules. For walks and drop-in visits, you can deduct vehicle expenses using the 2026 standard mileage rate of 72.5 cents per mile from January 1 through June 30, and 76 cents per mile from July 1 onward. You must keep a written mileage log to substantiate these vehicle deductions. Additionally, because the 1099-K reports gross earnings before platform deductions, you must subtract Rover service fees from your gross total to reconcile your actual net income.

Calculating Self-Employment and Income Tax

Independent contractors must pay self-employment tax in addition to standard federal and state income taxes. The self-employment tax rate is 15.3 percent, which covers Social Security up to the 2026 wage cap of $184,500, and Medicare. This tax is calculated on Schedule SE using your net profit from Schedule C. Because taxes are not automatically withheld from your weekly Rover payouts, you may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS using Form 1040-ES. The 2026 quarterly estimated tax due dates are April 15, June 15, and September 15 of 2026, followed by January 15, 2027.

What the Proofly receipt scanner does — and doesn’t

Does

Reads merchant, date, line items, tax and payment method from a photo, with a confidence meter so you can correct it before saving
Keeps personal and per-company receipts separate
Maps business expenses to Schedule C lines (meals already at 50%)
Exports an audit pack: every receipt image plus a ledger, as PDF, and CSV for QuickBooks or Xero
Has a manual mileage log priced at the IRS rate for each trip’s date

Doesn’t

File your taxes or give tax advice
Sync live with QuickBooks or Xero (it’s CSV export)
Pull transactions from your bank automatically
Track your drives by GPS
Guarantee how an audit turns out

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to report my Rover earnings if I did not receive a 1099-K?

Yes. You are legally required to report all self-employment income on your tax return, regardless of whether your earnings crossed the 1099-K threshold or whether you received any tax forms at all.

How do I account for the service fees Rover charges me?

The Form 1099-K reports your gross payments before service fees are subtracted. You should deduct Rover service fees as a business expense on your Schedule C to ensure you are only taxed on your actual net earnings.

Can I deduct the cost of dog food and treats I buy for client pets?

Yes. Any pet supplies, treats, toys, cleaning materials, or crates you purchase specifically for providing care to clients' pets are fully deductible business expenses.

How should I track my miles for dog walking visits?

You must maintain a written mileage log recording the date, mileage, and business purpose of every trip driven for walks, drop-in visits, or supply runs. You then multiply your total business miles by the applicable 2026 standard mileage rates to calculate your vehicle deduction.

Sources

This guide summarizes IRS guidance as of October 28, 2026 for planning purposes. It isn’t tax advice — confirm your situation with IRS.gov or a qualified tax professional.