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New Tax Breaks for Tipped Occupations Unveiled

On September 2, 2025, the Treasury Department announced a significant update, revealing a list of 68 professions now eligible for a groundbreaking "no tax on tips" deduction. This initiative stems from the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," enacted on July 4, 2025, designed to alleviate fiscal burdens on individuals by applying to federal income taxes over the 2025 to 2028 tax span. 

This deduction allows up to $25,000 in qualifying tips per individual annually, presented as a "below-the-line" deduction. Benefiting even those utilizing the standard deduction, it strategically does not affect the computation of adjusted gross income (AGI).

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The Treasury’s list includes a diverse range of professions: 

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 at restaurants, lounges, and coffee shops

  • 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 (excluding radio)

  • Entertainers and performers

  • 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

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

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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 

The OBBB tip exclusion outlines a temporary deduction strategy for workers receiving tips, in force from 2025 through 2028. It can be claimed on individual tax returns, meeting specific income criteria. 

Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for this deduction, individuals must fulfill the following conditions: 

  • Occupational Requirement: Must have worked in a role that traditionally garners tips before 2025, confirmed on the Treasury’s draft list.

  • Tip Qualification: Tips should be customer-driven, encompassing cash, card, or shared tips, excluding service charges.

  • Reporting Obligation: All tips must be reported to the IRS via Form W-2 (employees) or Form 1099 (contractors).

  • Joint Filing Mandate: If married, couples must file jointly to benefit from the deduction.

  • SSN Submission: SSN must be included on the tax return for deduction claims. 

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Deduction Framework: Strict limitations govern the maximum permissible deduction and phase-out for those with higher incomes: 

  • Deduction Cap: The annual deduction tops at $25,000.

  • Income Phase-Out: For individuals with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeding thresholds, the deduction diminishes progressively:

    • Single Filers: Begins phase-out over $150,000 MAGI.

    • Married Filing Jointly: Begins phase-out over $300,000 MAGI. 

Additional Considerations:

  • Exclusion of Payroll Taxes: While tips reduce taxable income for federal purposes, they remain subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes, or self-employment taxes for independent roles.

  • Temporary Measure: This deduction is set to expire post-December 31, 2028.

  • Not a Full Exemption: This is a deduction mechanism, requiring reporting of all tips to be adjusted by the deduction.

  • State Tax Variability: Outcomes on state taxes vary based on specific state regulations. 

Ultimately, navigating the nuances of tip deduction eligibility is integral for both employees and employers aiming to maximize their tax efficiencies. With evolving tax legislation, diligent awareness and professional consultation remain indispensable to adeptly managing tip incomes and corresponding deductions.

Reach out for professional guidance and personalized assistance from our TaxxGuy LLC team.

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