Is a Service Charge a Tip? Service Charge vs Tip Rules Restaurants Must Know
A service charge is not a tip under IRS rules. The legal test, the payroll tax differences and why service charges never earn the FICA tip credit.
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Tax Planning
Restaurant tax planning insights from the FORCS team.
Tax Planning articles
FICA Tip Credit Explained: The Restaurant Tax Break Most Owners Never Claim
The FICA tip credit refunds the employer share of Social Security and Medicare taxes on tips above $5.15 an hour. Eligibility, Form 8846 and the math.
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Form 8027 Explained: A Restaurant Owner's Guide to IRS Tip Reporting
Who must file IRS Form 8027, how the 8% rule and tip allocation work, key deadlines and the mistakes that trigger IRS letters.
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How Should Restaurants Reconcile Food Delivery Fees, Commissions, and Sales Tax?
How to reconcile third-party delivery: match every platform order to POS sales, payout statements, bank deposits and sales tax reports.
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What Restaurant Tipping Rules Should Operators Know for 2026?
Restaurant tipping rules for 2026: tips vs service charges, tip credits, pooling and tip-outs, and the wage and tax treatment of each.
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NYC Commercial Rent Tax for Restaurants in Manhattan: CRT Rules, Calculations, and Compliance
Which Manhattan restaurants owe NYC Commercial Rent Tax: the below-96th-Street rule, the $250,000 rent threshold, credits and how to file.
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How Advanced Payroll Systems Boost QSR Success
How advanced payroll systems help QSRs manage high turnover, tip compliance and wage rules while cutting admin time for managers.
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