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Understanding the New Tip Deduction for Eligible Occupations

On September 2, 2025, the Treasury Department unveiled a provisional list of 68 occupations that qualify for the innovative "no tax on tips" deduction. This groundbreaking deduction is a part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," enacted on July 4, 2025, and is applicable to federal income taxes for the 2025–2028 tax years. 

Eligible individuals can claim a deduction of up to $25,000 annually for qualifying tips received, structured as a “below-the-line” deduction. This means it is available even to those opting for the standard deduction, but it does not influence the calculation of adjusted gross income (AGI).

The Treasury's draft list of eligible occupations includes:

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

  • Host staff, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop

  • Bakers 

Entertainment and Events: 

  • Gambling dealers

  • Gambling change persons and booth cashiers

  • Gambling cage workers

  • Gambling and sports book writers and runners

  • Dancers

  • Musicians and singers

  • Disc jockeys (except radio)

  • Entertainers and performers

  • Digital content creators

  • Ushers, lobby attendants and ticket takers

  • Locker room, coatroom and dressing room attendants 

Hospitality and Guest Services: 

  • Baggage porters and bellhops

  • Concierges

  • Hotel, motel and resort desk clerks

  • Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Home Services 

  • Home maintenance and repair workers

  • Home landscaping and groundskeeping workers

  • Home electricians

  • Home plumbers

  • Home heating/air conditioning mechanics and installers

  • Home appliance installers and repairers

  • Home cleaning service workers

  • Locksmiths

  • Roadside assistance workers

Personal Services 

  • Personal care and service workers

  • Private event planners

  • Private event and portrait photographers

  • Private event videographers

  • Event officiants

  • Pet caretakers

  • Tutors

  • Nannies and babysitters

Personal Appearance and Wellness 

  • Skincare specialists

  • Massage therapists

  • Barbers, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

  • Shampooers

  • Manicurists and pedicurists

  • Eyebrow threading and waxing technicians

  • Makeup artists

  • Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors

  • Tattoo artists and piercers

  • Tailors

  • Shoe and leather workers and repairers

Recreation and Instruction 

  • Golf caddies

  • Self-enrichment teachers

  • Recreational and tour pilots

  • Tour guides and escorts

  • Travel guides

  • Sports and recreation instructors

Transportation and Delivery: 

  • Parking and valet attendants

  • Taxi and rideshare drivers and chauffeurs

  • Shuttle drivers

  • Goods delivery people

  • Personal vehicle and equipment cleaners

  • Private and charter bus drivers

  • Water taxi operators and charter boat workers

  • Rickshaw, pedicab, and carriage drivers

  • Home movers 

This innovative tip exclusion, introduced by OBBBA, is a temporary tax relief for qualifying tipped workers available in tax years 2025 through 2028. Workers may claim this deduction individually, subject to income limitations. 

Eligibility Requirements: Workers must satisfy these conditions to qualify for the deduction: 

  • Qualified tipped worker: Must be an employee or independent contractor in a tip-receiving occupation before 2025, as per the qualifying occupations list.

  • Have qualified tips: Tips must be customer-paid voluntarily, including cash tips, credit card charges, or tips from sharing arrangements. Mandatory service charges don't qualify.

  • Properly report tips: Tips must be declared to the IRS via a Form W-2 (for employees) or Form 1099 (for contractors).

  • File jointly if married: Married couples must file a joint return to claim the deduction.

  • Provide a Social Security Number (SSN): Claimants must include their SSN on their tax return. 

Deduction Limitations: The deduction cap and phase-out for high earners: 

  • Maximum deduction: $25,000 annually.

  • Income phase-out: Deduction phases out with higher modified adjusted gross income (MAGI):

    • Single filers: Phase-out starts at MAGI over $150,000.

    • Married filing jointly: Phase-out starts at MAGI over $300,000. 

Additional Considerations:

  • Not applicable to payroll taxes: While tip income can reduce federal tax liability, it remains subject to Social Security, Medicare, or self-employment taxes (for contractors).

  • Temporary deduction: The tip deduction will expire after December 31, 2028.

  • Not tax-free: It's a deduction, not an exemption, meaning all tip income must be reported first and then offset by the deduction amount.

  • State tax implications: The impact on state taxes will depend on individual state tax laws. 

In conclusion, recognizing eligible occupations for tip deductions is vital for employees and employers aiming to optimize tax benefits. Staying informed of the specific criteria and understanding how different roles are aligned with these guidelines ensures compliance and enhances tax strategies. As tax regulations evolve, consistently updating and consulting with professionals remain essential to effectively manage tip income and deductions.

For any questions or support, contact our office.

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