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Tip Deduction Eligibility: Key Occupations Listed

On September 2, 2025, the Treasury Department unveiled a draft list detailing 68 professions eligible for the newly established "no tax on tips" deduction. This beneficial deduction stems from the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA), which became law on July 4, 2025, and is applicable to federal income taxes for the 2025–2028 tax period. 

Eligible individuals can deduct up to $25,000 of qualifying tips annually. This deduction is a “below-the-line” type, meaning it’s available to those who utilize the standard deduction, yet it’s excluded from adjusted gross income calculations. 

Professionals in these sectors can benefit: 

Beverage & Food Service: 

  • Bartenders

  • Wait staff

  • Food servers (non-restaurant)

  • Dining room attendants and bartender helpers

  • Culinary chefs and cooks

  • Food preparation workers

  • Fast Food and Counter Workers

  • Dishwashers

  • Hosts in restaurants, lounges, and cafes

  • Bakers 

Entertainment and Events: 

  • Casino dealers

  • Gambling cashiers

  • Cage workers in casinos

  • Sports book operatives

  • Dancers

  • Musicians and vocal artists

  • Disc jockeys (non-radio)

  • Performers and entertainers

  • Digital content creators

  • Event ushers and ticket takers

  • Locker room attendants 

Hospitality and Guest Services: 

  • Baggage porters and bell attendants

  • Concierges

  • Desk clerks at hotels and resorts

  • Cleaning staff

Home Services 

  • Maintenance and repair workers

  • Landscaping and groundskeepers

  • Electricians

  • Plumbers

  • HVAC mechanics and installers

  • Appliance installers and repairers

  • Cleaning service workers

  • Locksmiths

  • Roadside assistance providers 

Personal Services 

  • Personal care workers

  • Event planners for private occasions

  • Photographers for events and portraits

  • Videographers

  • Event officiants

  • Pet care professionals

  • Private tutors

  • Childcare providers, including nannies 

Personal Appearance and Wellness 

  • Beauty and skincare specialists

  • Massage therapists

  • Style experts: barbers, hairdressers, cosmetologists

  • Shampoo professionals

  • Manicurists and pedicurists

  • Eyebrow and waxing technicians

  • Makeup artists

  • Fitness trainers and instructors

  • Tattoo artists and body piercers

  • Tailors

  • Shoe and leather care specialists 

Recreation and Instruction 

  • Golf caddies

  • Self-enrichment teachers

  • Tour and recreational pilots

  • Guided tour providers

  • Travel guides

  • Sports and recreation educationalists 

Transportation and Delivery: 

  • Valet and parking attendants

  • Chauffeurs and taxi drivers, including rideshare

  • Shuttle operators

  • Delivery personnel for goods

  • Vehicle and equipment cleaning services

  • Bus operators (private and charter)

  • Water taxi and charter boat staff

  • Drivers of non-motorized vehicles such as rickshaws 

  • Movers 

The OBBBA-created tip exclusion offers temporary tax relief for qualified workers from 2025 to 2028. This deduction is reflected on an individual’s tax returns and adheres to specific income thresholds. 

Eligibility Criteria: Workers must meet the following conditions: 

  • Qualified tipped status: Employed or contracting in a traditionally tipped occupation before 2025. Refer to the draft list of eligible professions.

  • Genuine tips: Customer-given tips, whether cash, card, or from tip pooling. Note that compulsory service fees aren't included.

  • Accurate tip reporting: Officially documented via Form W-2 for employees or Form 1099 for contractors.

  • Joint filing for married couples: To leverage the deduction, they must file jointly.

  • Social Security Number (SSN): Required on the tax filing to claim the deduction. 

Deduction Restrictions: Limitations apply, notably for higher earners: 

  • Upper deduction cap: Maximum of $25,000 per annum.

  • Income phase-out: Begins reduction at certain income levels: 

    • Single taxpayers: Reductions start beyond $150,000 MAGI.

    • Joint filers: Reductions commence above a $300,000 MAGI. 

Additional Insights:

  • Exclusion from payroll taxes: Taxable for Social Security and Medicare, or self-employment tax for contractors.

  • Temporary policy: Expires post-December 31, 2028.

  • Deduction vs. exemption: Income must still be reported, with deductions then applied.

  • State tax impact: Varies by state tax legislation. 

In essence, accurately identifying qualified occupations for tip deductions can critically enhance the fiscal strategy of both employees and employers. Staying adept with regulatory criteria permits individuals to maintain compliance as well as strategic tax management. In light of evolving tax regulations, it is indispensable for stakeholders to remain educated on legislative changes and consult professional advisory support where necessary, to proficiently handle the nuances of tip income tax deductions.

Contact us at Thompson-Smith CPA, LLC with any questions or for further assistance.

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