Zomato and Blinkit have helped more than 2.10 lakh delivery partners file their income tax returns (ITRs) for the financial year 2025-26, facilitating tax refunds worth a total of ₹33.6 crore, parent company Eternal said on Thursday.
According to the company, around 75 per cent of the delivery partners who filed their returns were first-time filers. The initiative is aimed at helping gig workers enter the formal financial system and build a documented financial history.
On average, each delivery partner received a refund of around ₹1,600. The company said the applicable tax deducted at source (TDS) rate was 1 per cent.
"For many delivery partners, this may be their first experience with formal financial services," Zomato CEO Aditya Mangla said, adding that the initiative was designed to make the process accessible while helping partners improve their financial security and access to credit.
Digital ITR Filing Facility
The ITR filing service was offered at a subsidised rate through a third-party service provider. Delivery partners can initiate the process directly through the Zomato or Blinkit Delivery Partner apps.
The apps are integrated with a dedicated chatbot that allows partners to verify their details, authenticate their identity through a one-time password (OTP) and submit the required information digitally.
Partners can also access assistance through the chatbot or contact a dedicated helpline for further clarification.
Support For Gig Workers
ITR filing is part of a broader set of initiatives by Zomato and Blinkit aimed at supporting the financial and social wellbeing of their delivery partners.
These initiatives include outpatient healthcare cover, medical and accident insurance, maternity insurance and paid period rest days for women delivery partners.
The companies also provide financial tools such as fixed deposits, recurring deposits and pension accounts under the gig-worker variant of the National Pension System.
The latest figures mark an increase from July, when Zomato and Blinkit had reported helping more than one lakh delivery partners across 905 cities file ITRs, unlocking ₹18 crore in refunds. At that stage, nearly 73 per cent of filers were first-time filers.
Eternal operates Zomato, Blinkit, District and Hyperpure. The company said its initiatives for delivery partners are intended to provide support beyond their work on its platforms, including access to formal financial services and savings tools.
