New law exempts up to $25,000 in tips from federal taxes, delivering on Trump’s campaign pledge Unclear rules leave workers and employers guessing whi

Note: Now that the No Tax on Tips measure has been signed into law, the new tax deduction for cash tips takes effect for the 2025 tax year. That means eligible workers could claim the deduction when they file their taxes in early 2026 for income earned in 2025. Despite the excitement over this change, there are some things the OBBBA doesn’t cover.

For a worker making $40,000 or less, standard deductions often already wipe out federal tax obligations. But for someone in the $50,000 to $100,000 range, shielding $12,500 in overtime or $25,000 in tips could move them into a lower tax bracket.