Tipped wages are exempt from taxes for more than 70 jobs across industries that include food service, hospitality and home services.
The “no tax on tips” policy exempts gratuities from federal income and payroll taxes. President Donald Trump first promised to exempt tipped workers from the tax during the 2024 election. The ‘no tax on tips’ deduction was included in the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act passed by Congress in July 2025.
How the ‘no tax on tips’ deduction works
If you qualify, the types of tips that count include debit or credit card tips, reported and tracked cash tips or tips received through tip-sharing programs. Mandatory service charges like automatic gratuity aren’t eligible.
The deduction only applies to federal income taxes, so you may still have to pay state and local taxes. Social Security and Medicare taxes are still withheld from all tips.
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There are income limits, too: If your modified adjusted gross income is $150,000 or less, you’re eligible for the full deduction. For joint filers, this limit doubles to $300,000.
For every $1,000 your income exceeds those limits, the deduction is lowered by $100. And if you earn above $400,000 as an individual or above $550,000 as a joint filer, you can’t claim the deduction.
The deduction is only valid from 2025 to 2028, for now. When you file your taxes, report your tips on Form 1040.
What jobs are included in the ‘no tax on tips’ exemption?
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Axios that the list of jobs is “expansive, but fair.” The tipped tax-exempt jobs are grouped into eight categories covering multiple industries. The list includes multiple performance positions within entertainment jobs, which were disqualified under the ‘big beautiful bill.’
Here’s the full list of positions that qualify for the exemption.
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
2. Entertainment & 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 & performers
Digital content creators
Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
Locker room, coatroom and dressing room attendants
3. Hospitality & guest services
Baggage porters and bellhops
Concierges
Hotel, motel and resort desk clerks
Maids and housekeeping cleaners
4. 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
5. 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
Visual artists
Floral designers
6. Personal appearance & 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
7. Recreation & instruction
Golf caddies
Self-enrichment teachers
Recreational and tour pilots
Tour guides and escorts
Travel guides
Sports and recreation instructors
8. Transportation & 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
Gas pump attendants
The final list was published in the Federal Register.
(Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images News via Getty Images)
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