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Unlocking Tax Savings: Who Qualifies for the Tip Deduction?

On September 2, 2025, the Treasury Department unveiled a draft list of 68 occupations eligible for the new "no tax on tips" deduction. As part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," enacted on July 4, 2025, this deduction applies to federal income taxes from 2025 through 2028. 

The deduction caps at $25,000 per person, per year in qualifying tips. Structured as a "below-the-line" deduction, it benefits those taking the standard deduction but does not impact adjusted gross income (AGI).

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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
  • 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

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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 

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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 OBBB tip exclusion offers temporary tax deductions for qualifying tipped workers from 2025 to 2028, implemented on individual tax returns with certain income restrictions. 

Eligibility Requirements: Workers must fulfill these conditions:

  • Be a qualified tipped worker: Engage as an employee or independent contractor in a role receiving customary tips pre-2025. Refer to the draft list.
  • Have qualified tips: Only customer-volunteered tips count, including cash tips, credit card charges, or tip-sharing arrangements. Service charges are excluded.
  • Properly report tips: Declare tips on Form W-2 for employees or Form 1099 for independent contractors.
  • File jointly if married: Couples must file jointly to claim the deduction.
  • Provide a Social Security Number (SSN): Inclusion on tax return is mandatory for deduction eligibility. 

Deduction Limitations: Capped and subject to phase-out for high earners:

  • Maximum deduction: $25,000 annually.
  • Income phase-out: Deductions reduce for taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income over:
    • Single filers: Begins at $150,000 MAGI.
    • Married filing jointly: Begins at $300,000 MAGI. 

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Other Considerations:

  • Not applicable to payroll taxes: Tips remain subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes or self-employment tax for contractors.
  • Temporary provision: Scheduled to expire on December 31, 2028.
  • Not tax-free: It's a deduction, not an exemption, requiring reporting of all tip income, reduced by deduction value.
  • State tax implications: Varies by state tax laws. 

Given ChesebroCPA's deep expertise, particularly in serving small businesses, understanding these qualification nuances is crucial. Remaining informed on eligibility and compliance can optimize one's tax position and financial health. Navigating these complexities requires staying current with legislative updates and consulting professional advisors to make well-informed decisions. Contact us for any specific queries or professional assistance. 

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