The Complete Guide to Tips and Gratuities : A Guide for Employees Who Earn Tips and Employers Who Manage Tipped Employees and Their Accountants

There are millions of workers in the USA that rely on tips for most of their income, and there are well over two million businesses where the employers rely on tipped employees. According to recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, food and beverage service-related workers held 6.5 million jobs in 2000 alone. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates in a 2001 study that tips and gratuities may account for well over $5 billion per year being left on plates and tip trays, financed on credit cards and handed directly into happy, open palms.

But let’s face facts. Relying on customers’ tips for your income is tough. The average customer just doesn’t realize how difficult and hard the average waiter, waitress, hair dresser, concierge, cab driver, maitre de or bartender works for their money. Dealing with and satisfying the general public is one of the most demanding jobs around. Many, if not most, tipped employees have a tough time making ends meet. And then there are the complicated IRS tax laws regarding tipping and gratuities that most employees and few employers know how to handle correctly.

For the first time this new book deals with all aspects of tips and gratuities. For the employee or self-employed, learn how to earn more tips and how to properly account for and pay taxes on them. For the employer: how to manage and properly account for the taxes on tipped employees; for the bookkeeper and accountant: get the latest on tax and withholding laws. Apart from all great and practical advice in the book, it has to be remembered that tips have to be earned, thus there are literally hundreds of little tricks, hints and suggestions to help tipped employees – well, make more tips!

This book will help demystify the history, psychology and economics behind tipping. You ll learn about tipping attitudes, how to increase your tips, and why you should report your tip income. Separate chapters will address wage and tip-income laws that affect tip-earning employees and how employers can comply.

Who Should Read This Book Anyone who regularly receives tips for services rendered:
Waiter/Waitress
Cocktail server
Bartender
Bus person
Maitre d
Wine steward
Coatroom attendant
Manicurist
Hairdresser
Valet parking attendant
Barber
Shampooer
Massage therapist
Gardener
Custodian
Repair person
Pet groomer
Pet sitter
Musician
Barista
Bellmen
Door attendant
Cabin steward
Baby-sitter
Porters (train, ship)
Bath steward
Skycap
Delivery person
Tour guide
Mover
Drivers (cab, limo, etc.)
Cleaning person
Mail carrier
Sleeping car attendant
Garbage collector
Usher
Maid
Concierge
Casino dealer
Keno runners
Drink server
Clowns
Restroom attendant
Caddy
Catering server
Locker room attendant
Trainer
Grocery bagger
Parking attendant
Tow truck operator
Shoe shiner
And more

Anyone who hires and/or supervises tip earners and owners and managers of:
Hotels and motels
Restaurants and bars
Spas and resorts
Hair salons
Barbershops
Cleaning services
Nail salons
Home and garden maintenance