Need money now
Pet sitting and odd jobs: how to start
Rover and Taskrabbit — the exact requirements, where to register, what each app keeps, and the tax steps the IRS expects.
At a glance
Sources: Rover and Taskrabbit's own help pages — see the table and source list below. Checked 2026-10-20.
What the work involves
- Care for pets or do tasks exactly as booked
- Arrive on time and message through the app
- Keep clients' homes, keys and pets safe
- Report problems to the client and the app right away
- Track income and expenses for taxes
Your step-by-step plan
Steps for Rover (pet sitting, dog walking). Every button opens the exact page where you act.
Step 1: Check you meet the basic requirements
Rover requires sitters and dog walkers to be at least 18. You submit a background check and verify your identity from your account; Rover says background checks apply to people living in North America.
Done when: You are 18 or older and ready to pass the background and identity check.
Step 2: Register on the official page
Select "Become a sitter", choose your services, then complete each section: service setup (rates, availability, pet preferences), your profile, testimonials, a safety quiz, and the background check with identity verification. Then submit your profile for review.
Have ready: Your rates and weekly availability · Photos of you with pets · Two people who can write a testimonial
Done when: Your registration is submitted.
Step 3: Build a profile people trust with their pet or home
Use a clear photo of your face, describe real experience in plain words, and price by the hour or the visit. Rover applies a 20% service fee per booking, so sitters keep 80% (U.S. residents may be in a pilot with different fees).
Done when: Your profile shows a photo, your real experience and a price that covers the fee.
Step 4: Set money aside for tax from the first payout
The IRS says all income is taxable unless the law says otherwise — even if you never get a Form 1099-K. If your net self-employment earnings are $400 or more, you owe self-employment tax (15.3%: 12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare) and file Schedule SE. Keep receipts all year: they help you deduct certain expenses.
- Manage taxes for your gig work — IRS
- Self-employment tax — IRS
- Estimate what you keep after tax — DebtRoute 1099 calculator
Done when: You move a share of every payout to a separate tax pot and keep a simple income and expense log.
You are now waiting for the app to approve your profile — Rover says to expect a reply within 10 to 20 business days by e-mail. Never pay anyone outside the app to "speed up" approval.
Requirements by app
| App | What is required | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Rover | 18 or older; background check and identity verification from your account (North America); profile review before your services appear; 20% service fee per booking. | Rover |
| Taskrabbit | U.S. Social Security number; 18 or older; an active city; background and ID check; checking account; credit card for a $25 one-time, non-refundable registration fee; iOS or Android smartphone. | Taskrabbit |
Requirements change and vary by city: each company's own page is the final word.
Sources
- Becoming a sitter: frequently asked questions — Rover, checked 2026-10-20
- How do I become a pet sitter or dog walker on Rover? — Rover, checked 2026-10-20
- What are the service fees? — Rover, checked 2026-10-20
- What's required to become a Tasker? — Taskrabbit, checked 2026-10-20
- Manage taxes for your gig work — Internal Revenue Service, checked 2026-10-20
App rules and fees change and vary by city: each company's own page is the final word. JoRoute makes no promise about earnings. Reviewed 2026-10-20. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.