You Earned It. You Keep It.
Service workers hustle for every tip they receive. The Talon Party believes the government has no business taking a cut of gratuities earned through hard work.
Where We Stand
Tips are not a bonus — for millions of American workers in restaurants, hotels, salons, and delivery services, tips are a lifeline. They make up the majority of take-home pay for workers earning the federal tipped minimum wage of just $2.13 per hour.
The Talon Party believes that taxing tips is fundamentally unfair. When a customer leaves a tip, they are expressing gratitude directly to the worker who served them. That money should go entirely to that worker — not to the federal government.
We support eliminating federal income tax on tips for workers earning under a reasonable income threshold. This is targeted, meaningful relief for the people who need it most — the servers, drivers, stylists, and hospitality workers who keep America running.
"I worked as a server for two summers. The base pay was basically nothing — tips were everything. The idea that the government takes a percentage of that feels deeply wrong to me. Those workers earned every dollar."
"This isn't a complicated policy. It's simple fairness. You work hard, you earn a tip, you keep the tip. The Talon Party will make that the law."
Our Specific Proposals
No Federal Tax on Tips
Eliminate federal income tax on tips for workers earning under $75,000 annually — targeted relief for those who need it most.
Raise the Tipped Minimum Wage
Raise the federal tipped minimum wage from $2.13 to at least $7.25 so workers aren't entirely dependent on customer generosity.
Protect Workers from Tip Theft
Strengthen enforcement against employers who illegally withhold or pool tips without worker consent.
Simplify Tip Reporting
Streamline tip reporting requirements so workers aren't burdened with complex tax paperwork on top of demanding jobs.
See the Full Platform
Explore all five Talon Olderog Party planks and learn where we stand on the issues that matter most.
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