In late September, the Treasury Department presented a list of preliminarily-approved occupations that will qualify for the new federal tax-free tip income provision on 2025 tax returns.

Here is what you need to know.

Background

As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), qualifying tip income will not be subject to federal income tax from 2025 through 2028. The benefit is limited to $25,000. There is an income limit of $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for joint filers. (This income limit is modified adjusted gross income, including the tips.) The deduction amount is reduced (but not lower than zero) by $100 for each $1,000 in excess of these amounts.