New Tax Breaks for Tipped Workers: Occupation List Unveiled

On September 2, 2025, the Treasury Department released a draft list of 68 occupations eligible for the innovative "no tax on tips" deduction, a vital component of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" signed on July 4, 2025. This deduction applies to federal income taxes for tax years 2025 through 2028, benefiting a wide range of service professionals.

The deduction allows a maximum of $25,000 in qualifying tips per year, structured as a "below-the-line" deduction. This means it's applicable for those who utilize the standard deduction, though it doesn't influence adjusted gross income (AGI). This tax incentive is designed to offer substantial financial relief to a diverse set of occupations:

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

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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

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

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Recreation and Instruction:

  • 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 significant tax deductions for qualified tipped workers during 2025-2028. Filing guidelines include income restrictions and proper reporting on tax forms like Form W-2 or Form 1099. The deduction is subject to a maximum allowance, phasing out with higher MAGI—for instance, over $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for married filing jointly.

Additional Considerations:

  • Income application: Tips are deducted from income tax calculations but remain liable for Social Security and Medicare or self-employment taxes.
  • Temporary nature: This deduction expires post-2028.
  • Non-exemption: This deduction requires reporting all tips for tax reduction.
  • Variability in state taxes: State tax impacts will depend on local laws.

In summary, identifying eligible occupations for tip deductions is crucial for optimizing tax advantages. Employing this knowledge alongside professional guidance helps maximize compliance and minimize tax obligations. Keep in touch with ongoing legislative changes to effectively manage tip income deductions.

Contact Tax Time 365 for more information and assistance in navigating these tax reforms.

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