New Tax Break: Occupations Eligible for Tip Deductions Unveiled

The Treasury Department made an important announcement on September 2, 2025, detailing a draft list of 68 occupations eligible for a novel "no tax on tips" deduction. This deduction, part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," was enacted on Independence Day, 2025, and is designed to ease the federal income tax burden for the 2025–2028 tax years. 

This unique tax break offers a "below-the-line" deduction for up to $25,000 in eligible tips per individual annually, available to those opting for the standard deduction but excluded from the adjusted gross income (AGI) computation. Image 1

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 EventsImage 2

  • 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 Image 3

  • 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 

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  • 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 requirements for the OBBB tip exclusion stipulate a temporary opportunity to claim tax deductions for qualifying tipped employees, effective from 2025 to 2028. When filing their tax returns, individuals can avail themselves of this deduction, although it is subject to specific income limitations. 

Eligibility Requirements: Individuals must fulfill certain criteria to qualify: 

  • Tipped worker status: Must be employed or contracted in a role that customarily received tips before 2025. Refer to the draft list of occupations.
  • Tips must be qualified: Only customer-paid tips, such as cash, credit card, or shared tips, qualify. Service charges do not.
  • Tips must be reported: Accurately reported to the IRS on Form W-2 for employees or Form 1099 for contractors.
  • Joint filing for married couples: A joint return is mandatory if married to claim the deduction.
  • Social Security Number (SSN): An SSN is required on the tax return to leverage the deduction. 

Deduction Limitations: There are ceilings and income-related phase-outs: 

  • Tip deduction cap: The maximum yearly deduction is $25,000.
  • Income phase-out thresholds: Reductions apply for those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeding certain limits:
    • Single filers: Deduction phases out for MAGI exceeding $150,000.
    • Married filing jointly: Phases out for MAGI over $300,000. 

Key Considerations:

  • Non-applicability to payroll taxes: Even with deductibility from federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and self-employment taxes for contractors still apply.
  • Temporary measures: The deduction concludes on December 31, 2028.
  • Not an exemption: It’s a deduction, so all tipping income must be reported before reductions.
  • State tax ramifications: State income tax effects hinge on statewide legislation. 

To conclude, understanding the eligible occupation list for tip deductions is crucial to maximize tax advantages for both employees and employers. By grasping the qualifying criteria for tips and how distinct roles fit this framework, individuals can achieve compliance and optimize tax strategies. Proactive awareness of legislative shifts and professional guidance is key to navigating tip income and deduction complexities effectively. For further guidance, feel free to reach out to this office. 

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If any of these topics caught your attention, please contact to start the conversation!
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