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New 'No Tax on Tips' Deduction: Occupations Unveiled

The Treasury Department made a pivotal announcement on September 2, 2025, revealing a provisional list of 68 occupations that are eligible for the innovative "no tax on tips" deduction. This initiative was introduced under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," enacted on July 4, 2025, impacting federal income taxes from 2025 through 2028. 

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This deduction permits up to $25,000 in qualifying tips per individual annually. It's crafted as a "below-the-line" deduction, accessible to those opting for the standard deduction, yet it doesn’t factor into the calculation of adjusted gross income (AGI).

An array of occupations spanning various sectors qualify under this program, ensuring extensive benefits across several labor categories:

Beverage & Food Service:

  • Bartenders
  • Wait staff
  • Food servers, non-restaurant
  • Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
  • Chefs and cooks
  • Food preparation workers
  • Fast Food and Counter Workers
  • Dishwashers
  • Restaurant, lounge, coffee shop host staff
  • Bakers

Entertainment and Events:

  • Gambling dealers
  • Gambling change persons and booth cashiers
  • Musicians and singers
  • Disc jockeys (except radio)
  • Digital content creators
  • Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
  • Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants
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Hospitality and Guest Services:

  • Baggage porters and bellhops
  • Concierges
  • Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
  • Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Personal Services:

  • Personal care and service workers
  • Private event planners and photographers
  • Event officiants
  • Pet caretakers
  • Tutors
  • Nannies and babysitters

The requirements to qualify for the OBBB tip exclusion encompass a set of temporary tax deductions for eligible tipped workers during 2025-2028. These are detailed as follows:

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Be a qualified tipped worker: Engaged in an occupation traditionally receiving tips before 2025.
  • Have qualified tips: Should be voluntarily given by patrons, and may include cash, credit card charges, or tips from sharing arrangements. Compulsory service charges do not qualify.
  • Proper reporting of tips: Must be reported to the IRS via Form W-2 for employees or Form 1099 for contractors.
  • File jointly if married: Married couples must file a joint tax return to claim the deduction.
  • Provide a Social Security Number: All claimants must submit their SSN on tax returns.

Deduction Limitations: Maximum obtainable deduction is capped and is phased out for higher earners:

  • Maximum deduction: Up to $25,000 annually.
  • Income phase-out: Begins at $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for joint filers.

Other Considerations:

  • Not applicable to payroll taxes: Tips remain subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes or self-employment tax for contractors.
  • Temporary provision: This deduction is valid until December 31, 2028.
  • No tax exemption: It's a deduction not an exemption; all tip income must be reported, deductions notwithstanding.
  • State tax impacts: Dependent on state-specific tax regulations.
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As the landscape of tax legislation continues to shift, understanding the specifics of deduction eligibility becomes essential for employees and employers alike in optimizing tax benefits. Staying informed on the nuances of qualified tips and the applicable occupational framework is vital. Stakeholders are advised to remain vigilant about changes to tax laws, seeking professional consultation when necessary to effectively manage tip income deductions.

For further assistance, feel free to reach out to this office.

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