The IRS disclosed certain tax tips in a recent publication (2015-13) that may help a taxpayer file and report “tip” income correctly.

• Show all tips on the 1040 tax return.  All tips received during a calendar year must be added up and included on the federal tax return.  This even includes the value of tips that are not in cash.  Examples of non-cash tips include items such as tickets, passes or other items when provided by a customer for work or service.

• All tips are taxable.  Tips paid directly by a customer and tips added by a customer to a credit card are both to be included in taxable income. As well, tips received under a tip-splitting agreement with other employees, such as in a restaurant, are to be included.

• Report tips to the employer.  If an employee receives $20 or more in tips in any one month, the employee must report the tips for that month to the employer.  Tips reported to the employer include cash, check and credit card tips but does not include the value of any noncash tips.  The employer must withhold federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes on these reported tips.

• Daily tip log.  Use the IRS’ Publication 1244, Employee’s Daily Record of Tips and Report to Employer, to record your tips.

Tax Facts on Individuals & Small Business

Due to a number of recent changes in the law, taxpayers are currently facing many questions connected to important issues such as healthcare, home office use, capital gains, investments, and whether an individual is considered an employee or a contractor.  Financial advisors are continually looking for competitive information to help them provide the best answers for their clients and to obtain new clients.  National Underwriter’s Tax Facts series is the only resource written specifically for the financial advisor and producer providing fast, clear, and authoritative answers to pressing questions, and it does so in the convenient, timesaving, Q&A format for which Tax Facts has been famous over 50 years.

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