New Tip Deduction Opportunities for Tax Years 2025-2028

The Treasury Department, on September 2, 2025, unveiled a proposed list of 68 job classifications that qualify for the newly introduced "no tax on tips" deduction. This initiative is a component of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," enacted on July 4, 2025, and will impact federal income tax filings from 2025 to 2028. 

This deduction allows for a yearly maximum of $25,000 on eligible tips per individual. It serves as a "below-the-line" deduction, meaning it is accessible to those opting for the standard deduction without influencing Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) calculations. 

Highlighting the Treasury's draft, these occupations are currently listed under different sectors:

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 

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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

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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

For those eligible under the OBBB tip exclusion, these temporary tax deductions benefit qualified tipped employees for the 2025 to 2028 tax years, involving individual tax returns and income thresholds. 

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Eligibility Criteria: Qualified workers need to fulfill these conditions: 

  • Be a qualified tipped worker: This applies to employees or independent contractors in professions where tips were standard before 2025, based on the draft list.

  • Receive qualified tips: Tips must be customer-endowed, whether in cash, via card, or a tipping pool. Compulsory service charges fall outside this definition.

  • Report tips accurately: Relevant submissions are required to the IRS via Form W-2 (for employees) or Form 1099 (for contractors).

  • Marital filing requirements: Spouses must file jointly to leverage this deduction.

  • Supply a Social Security Number: Claimants must include their SSN on tax submissions. 

Deduction Constraints: There are ceilings and phase-outs for higher income recipients: 

  • Maximum deduction: Capped at $25,000 annually.

  • Income phase-out: The deduction diminishes for those with modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) surpassing designated levels:

    • Single filers: Above $150,000 MAGI triggers a phase-out.

    • Joint filers: Phase-out begins past $300,000 MAGI. 

Additional Considerations:

  • Limited payroll tax implications: Tip deductions impact only federal tax calculations, leaving Social Security and Medicare taxation unaffected for employees and triggering applicable self-employment tax for contractors.

  • Temporal status: The deduction is set to terminate after 2028’s close.

  • Not wholly exempt: It remains a deduction, not an exemption, thus necessitating full tip reporting followed by deduction application.

  • State tax influences: State tax repercussions depend on respective state rules. 

In summary, grasping eligible occupations for the tip deduction is critical for both staff and employers aiming to capitalize on this relief. By comprehending the qualification standards for tip income and situating profession specifics within this matrix, tax compliance can be maintained alongside strategic financial gains. As tax legislation continuously morphs, staying abreast of these dynamics and seeking professional guidance is paramount for navigating tip income and deductions effectively.

Contact our office for further inquiries and professional assistance.

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