01/15/2026
“No Tax on Tips”
Between 2025 and 2028, you may be able to keep more of your hard-earned tips thanks to a new tax deduction.
If you work in an industry where tipping is standard the new federal deduction allows eligible taxpayers to exclude "qualified tips" from their taxable income, subject to a $25,000 annual cap.
* Eligibility:
The law only applies to people in jobs where tipping was "customary and regular". The Treasury Department has released a list of nearly 70 occupations, including:
- Food & Beverage: Bartenders, servers, barbacks, and even chefs/cooks.
- Appearance & Wellness: Barbers, hair stylists, nail technicians, and massage therapists.
- Hospitality: Bellhops, concierges, and hotel cleaners.
- Modern Services: Rideshare drivers (Uber/Lyft), delivery people, and even digital content creators (like streamers who receive "tips" or "donations").
* Reporting: Tips must be documented via Form W-2, 1099, or Form 4137 to qualify.
* Limitations: For self-employed individuals, the deduction cannot exceed the net income of the associated trade or business.
* Phase-out: The deduction is subject to MAGI-based phase-outs starting at $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for joint filers.
What counts as a "qualified tip"?
These are voluntary payments from customers, whether they are given in cash or added to a credit card charge. It also includes tips received through formal tip-sharing or "pooling" arrangements.
To be deductible, the tip must be voluntary.
Qualified: Cash left on a table, a tip added to a credit card slip, or a tip pool shared among staff.
Not Qualified: Mandatory service charges (like that automatic 18% for large parties) or "auto-gratuities" that a customer cannot change. If the customer can't choose the amount, the IRS considers it a service fee, not a tip.
It is a "Deduction," not a Tax Exemption
Technically, your tips are still considered income. However, the law allows you to deduct (subtract) that income from your total when calculating your federal income tax.
Result: You only pay income tax on what's left.
This deduction only applies to federal income tax. You (and your employer) still have to pay F**A taxes (Social Security and Medicare) on those tips.