> Restaurant tax planning articles: tip reporting, FICA tip credit, sales tax, 1099s and the filings and credits restaurant owners should know. Blog # Tax Planning Restaurant tax planning insights from the FORCS team. ## Tax Planning articles [](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/service-charge-vs-tip-restaurant-guide/) [Tax Planning](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/category/tax-planning/)Jul 23, 2026 ### [Is a Service Charge a Tip? Service Charge vs Tip Rules Restaurants Must Know](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/service-charge-vs-tip-restaurant-guide/) 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. [Read more](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/service-charge-vs-tip-restaurant-guide/) [](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/fica-tip-credit-restaurant-guide/) [Tax Planning](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/category/tax-planning/)Jul 13, 2026 ### [FICA Tip Credit Explained: The Restaurant Tax Break Most Owners Never Claim](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/fica-tip-credit-restaurant-guide/) 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. [Read more](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/fica-tip-credit-restaurant-guide/) [](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/form-8027-restaurant-tip-reporting-guide/) [Tax Planning](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/category/tax-planning/)Jul 7, 2026 ### [Form 8027 Explained: A Restaurant Owner's Guide to IRS Tip Reporting](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/form-8027-restaurant-tip-reporting-guide/) Who must file IRS Form 8027, how the 8% rule and tip allocation work, key deadlines and the mistakes that trigger IRS letters. [Read more](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/form-8027-restaurant-tip-reporting-guide/) [](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/how-should-restaurants-reconcile-food-delivery-fees-commissions-and-sales-tax/) [Tax Planning](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/category/tax-planning/)Apr 29, 2026 ### [How Should Restaurants Reconcile Food Delivery Fees, Commissions, and Sales Tax?](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/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. [Read more](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/how-should-restaurants-reconcile-food-delivery-fees-commissions-and-sales-tax/) [](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/what-restaurant-tipping-rules-should-operators-know-for-2026/) [Tax Planning](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/category/tax-planning/)Apr 28, 2026 ### [What Restaurant Tipping Rules Should Operators Know for 2026?](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/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. [Read more](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/what-restaurant-tipping-rules-should-operators-know-for-2026/) [](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/nyc-commercial-rent-tax-for-restaurants-in-manhattan-crt-rules-calculations-and-compliance/) [Tax Planning](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/category/tax-planning/)Apr 14, 2026 ### [NYC Commercial Rent Tax for Restaurants in Manhattan: CRT Rules, Calculations, and Compliance](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/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. [Read more](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/nyc-commercial-rent-tax-for-restaurants-in-manhattan-crt-rules-calculations-and-compliance/) [](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/how-advanced-payroll-systems-boost-qsr-success/) [Tax Planning](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/category/tax-planning/)Aug 28, 2025 ### [How Advanced Payroll Systems Boost QSR Success](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/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. [Read more](https://www.useforcs.com/blog/how-advanced-payroll-systems-boost-qsr-success/)