Exploring the New IRS List of Jobs Eligible for Tip Deductions

On September 2, 2025, the Treasury Department published a preliminary list of 68 professions eligible for the new "No Tax on Tips" deduction. Part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" enacted on July 4, 2025, this deduction offers substantial relief on federal income taxes for the 2025–2028 tax years. 

This deduction allows individuals to exclude up to $25,000 in qualified tips each year from taxable income. As a "below-the-line" deduction, it is accessible to those taking the standard deduction without affecting the adjusted gross income (AGI). 

Here's a snapshot of the Treasury's draft list of qualifying 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 in restaurants, lounges, and coffee shops

  • 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 

Image 1

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: 

  • Golf caddies

  • Self-enrichment teachers

  • Recreational and tour pilots

  • Tour guides and escorts

  • Travel guides

  • Sports and recreation instructors

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Transportation and Delivery: 

  • Parking and valet attendants

  • Taxi, 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 is a temporary deduction for eligible tipped workers, applicable from 2025 to 2028. This deduction can be claimed on an individual's tax return and is subject to specific income constraints. 

Eligibility Requirements: To qualify, workers must meet several criteria: 

  • Be a qualified tipped worker: Must have been an employee or independent contractor in a tip-receiving occupation before 2025, as per the listed professions.

  • Have qualified tips: Tips must be customer-driven, including those received in cash, credit, or shared arrangements; mandatory charges are excluded.

  • Properly report tips: Tips must be documented via IRS Form W-2 or Form 1099, depending on employment status.

  • File jointly if married: Couples must file jointly to benefit from the deduction.

  • Provide a Social Security Number (SSN): The claimant must list their SSN on their tax return. 

Deduction Limitations: The maximum deduction is capped with income-based reductions: 

  • Maximum deduction: Up to $25,000 per year.

  • Income phase-out: Begins at different thresholds: for single filers, at $150,000 MAGI; for married couples filing jointly, at $300,000 MAGI. 

Additional Considerations:

  • Excludes payroll taxes: Tips reduce taxable income for federal purposes but remain subject to Social Security, Medicare, or self-employment taxes.

  • Temporary Provision: Set to lapse at the end of 2028.

  • Not completely tax-free: The reduction applies after income is reported; tips must still be declared in full before deduction.

  • State tax implications: Varies based on individual state laws. 

Understanding these provisions is crucial for employees and employers seeking optimal tax outcomes. Keeping abreast of changes in tip-related tax legislation is vital, and consultation with tax professionals is encouraged to navigate these complexities effectively. For inquiries or professional guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.

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