Instacart Pay Stubs: How To Get Proof of Income (2026)

If you've been driving and shopping for Instacart, you already know the gig economy doesn't come with a traditional HR department.

When a landlord or lender asks for your Instacart pay stubs, you might be surprised to find that Instacart doesn't issue them the way a regular employer would. But that doesn't mean you're out of options. A pay stub generator can help you create the documentation you need.

This guide covers everything you need to know. You'll find out whether Instacart provides pay stubs and how much you can realistically earn as a shopper. We'll also explain how to get official proof of income and what tax documents you'll need to file at the end of the year.

Key Takeaways

• Instacart does not issue traditional pay stubs to Full-Service Shoppers because they are independent contractors.

• Use the Income Verification Portal at shoppers.instacart.com/income_verifications to generate official earnings documents on Instacart letterhead.

• Bank statements and in-app earnings summaries also work as proof of income for most landlords and lenders.

• If you earned $600 or more, expect a Form 1099-NEC from Instacart by January 31.

• Always tell lenders upfront that you're a 1099 contractor so they request the right documents.

Does Instacart Provide Pay Stubs to Shoppers?

Instacart does not issue traditional pay stubs to Full-Service Shoppers because they are independent contractors, not employees. In-Store Shoppers, who are W-2 employees, do receive standard pay stubs. If you're a Full-Service Shopper, you can access official income documentation through Instacart's Income Verification Portal or your in-app earnings records instead.

There's an important distinction that most guides miss. Instacart has two types of shoppers:

• In-Store Shoppers: These are part-time W-2 employees. Instacart withholds taxes from their pay and issues standard pay stubs through the employee portal.

• Full-Service Shoppers: These are independent contractors. They shop and deliver orders, set their own hours, and receive 1099 income. Instacart isn't legally required to issue pay stubs for independent contractors. If you need to understand how independent contractors receive pay stubs, the rules differ significantly from traditional employment.

If you're a Full-Service Shopper asking, "Does Instacart have pay stubs?" the short answer is no. Traditional Instacart paystubs simply don't exist for gig workers. Whether you need an Instacart pay stub or a full Instacart paystub record, you'll use income verification documents rather than employer-issued pay documents. But the alternatives are widely accepted substitutes.

How Much Can You Make With Instacart?

Full-Service Instacart Shoppers typically earn $15 to $25 per hour, depending on your market, batch size, and tip rate. Earnings consist of base pay per batch, customer tips, and promotional bonuses. In high-demand urban markets, some shoppers report $20 to $30 per hour during peak periods. Instacart pays weekly via direct deposit.

Here's how your Instacart earnings statement breaks down:

• Base Pay per Batch: Set by Instacart based on order complexity, distance, and item count

• Customer Tips: Added on top of base pay and paid out separately

• Promotional Bonuses: Available during peak hours, busy seasons, and special campaigns

• Peak Boosts: Extra pay during high-demand windows in your area

How much do you make doing Instacart? It depends on how many batches you accept, your local market, and your efficiency. Part-time shoppers often report $200 to $500 per week, while full-time shoppers in busy markets can earn more.

If you're asking, "How much can you make from Instacart on a full-time basis?" experienced shoppers in high-demand areas report $1,500 to $2,500 per month. Tracking your Instacart year-to-date earnings through the app can help you plan for taxes and verify your income level over time. For context on how to calculate your hourly and monthly income, our income calculator guide walks you through the math.

How To Get Instacart Pay Stubs (Income Verification)

The good news is that Instacart pay stubs aren't the only way to prove your income. Shoppers who can't get Instacart pay stubs in the traditional sense still have multiple accepted alternatives. Before you reach out to any lender, landlord, or financial institution, tell them you're an independent contractor.

This one step saves a lot of back-and-forth. Once they know, they'll ask for alternatives to a traditional pay stub rather than sending you in circles trying to provide something that doesn't exist.

If you need professional income documentation beyond what Instacart provides, you can also use a paystub generator to create accurate pay records based on your actual Instacart earnings.

Instacart shoppers can get official income documentation through three methods:

Method 1: Instacart Income Verification Portal

The Income Verification Portal is the strongest form of income documentation available to Instacart shoppers. It generates an official document on Instacart letterhead that most landlords, mortgage lenders, and banks will accept.

Here's how to access it:

1. Visit shoppers.instacart.com/income_verifications

2. Log in with your Instacart shopper credentials

3. Select the time frame for which you need income verification

4. Download or print the generated PDF

The document shows your Instacart proof of income for your chosen period. It's the closest equivalent to Instacart pay stubs you'll find, and it carries official Instacart branding. Bookmark that URL on your phone so you can pull it up quickly for any apartment or loan application.

Method 2: In-App Earnings Records

The Instacart Shopper app has a built-in earnings tracker that shows your Instacart income statement on a week-by-week basis.

To access it:

1. Open the Instacart Shopper app

2. Tap the menu icon in the upper left corner

3. Select "Earnings"

4. Scroll through weekly and cumulative records

You can take screenshots or print this screen to use as supporting documentation. It shows your Instacart shopper earnings statement broken down by batch, including base pay, tips, and bonuses. This is effectively your Instacart shopper pay stub equivalent from the app.

For informal verification, this works well. For formal applications, pair it with the portal document or bank statements. Our guide on how to acquire an earnings statement covers additional documentation strategies for self-employed workers.

Method 3: Bank Statements

Bank statements showing Instacart direct deposit payments serve as strong proof of income that Instacart shoppers can quickly provide. Pull your last two to three months of statements and highlight the Instacart deposits. This approach works especially well when combined with the earnings records from the app.

Instacart Earnings Statement and Taxes

If you earned $600 or more from Instacart in a calendar year, you'll receive a Form 1099-NEC by January 31. This form is delivered through the Instacart Shopper app, by email, or by mail. You must report this income on Schedule C and pay 15.3% self-employment tax. Set aside 20 to 30% of your earnings for taxes.

Instacart uses Stripe as its Instacart payroll provider for tax form distribution. If you worked with Instacart in 2021 or 2022 and need a prior-year 1099, contact Stripe Express directly. For 2023 and later, your 1099 should be available in the Shopper app or directly from Instacart support.

1099-NEC vs. 1099-K

Most Instacart shoppers receive a Form 1099-NEC for nonemployee compensation paid directly by Instacart. You'll receive a Form 1099-K instead if your payments were processed through a third-party payment processor like PayPal or Stripe, and you exceeded $20,000 in payments or 200 transactions in the tax year.

Both forms report your Instacart income statement for the year. The tax treatment is the same. If you're unclear on the difference between 1099 and W-2 income, the freelancing for beginners: 1099 vs W-2 guide explains how each affects your filing.

Filing Your Instacart Taxes in 2026

As a Full-Service Shopper, you're responsible for:

• Schedule C (Form 1040): Report your net profit or loss from Instacart

• Schedule SE: Calculate your 15.3% self-employment tax (covers Social Security and Medicare)

• Form 1040-ES: Make quarterly estimated tax payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more

2026 quarterly estimated tax deadlines:

• Q1: April 15

• Q2: June 15

• Q3: September 15

• Q4: January 15, 2027

Set aside 20-30% of each payment for taxes. The 2026 IRS standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile, so track every delivery trip. You can also deduct your phone bill (business portion), insulated shopping bags, and any equipment used for deliveries.

When You Need Instacart Pay Stubs for Income Verification

There are several common situations where landlords, lenders, or agencies will ask for Instacart proof of employment or income documentation:

• Apartment Rental: Most landlords require proof that your income is 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent.

• Mortgage or Personal Loan: Banks and credit unions need to verify income stability.

• Car Lease or Financing: Dealerships require income verification for approval

• Government Assistance Programs: Some programs require income documentation to determine eligibility

• Tax Filing: Your Instacart statements and 1099 forms serve as your income record

In each case, leading with "I'm a 1099 independent contractor" sets the right expectations. Most institutions that regularly deal with gig workers know to accept income verification portal documents, bank statements, and earnings summaries as legitimate Instacart pay stubs alternatives.

For rental situations specifically, our guide on how to write a proof of income letter for apartments can help you put together a complete application package. If you're self-employed and need to show proof of income, that resource covers all acceptable document types beyond Instacart-specific portals.

You Might Also Like

• 1099 Form Generator: Create Your 1099 Online

• 1099-NEC Form Generator

• How to Calculate Tax on 1099 Misc Income

• Proof of Income If Paid in Cash

• Employment Verification Letter Guide

In Conclusion

Traditional Instacart pay stubs don't exist for Full-Service Shoppers. However, the Income Verification Portal, in-app earnings records, and bank statements give you solid documentation for any situation where you need to prove your income. Use the portal document for formal applications and pair it with bank statements when lenders ask for more.

Need to create professional income documentation that goes beyond what the Instacart app provides? Use a reliable pay stub template to create accurate, formatted pay stubs based on your actual Instacart earnings in minutes.