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Publication 531 2003 Tax Year

Publication 531
Introductory Material

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2003 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

Table of Contents

Important Reminder

Photographs of missing children. The Internal Revenue Service is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Photographs of missing children selected by the Center may appear in this publication on pages that would otherwise be blank. You can help bring these children home by looking at the photographs and calling 1–800–THE–LOST (1–800–843–5678) if you recognize a child.

Introduction

This publication is for employees who receive tips from customers.

All tips you receive are income and are subject to federal income tax. You must include in gross income all tips you receive directly from customers, tips from charge customers that are paid to you by your employer, and your share of any tips you receive under a tip-splitting or tip-pooling arrangement.

The value of noncash tips, such as tickets, passes, or other items of value are also income and subject to tax.

Reporting your tip income correctly is not difficult. You must do three things.

  1. Keep a daily tip record.
  2. Report tips to your employer.
  3. Report all your tips on your income tax return.


This publication will show you how to do these three things, and what to do on your tax return if you have not done the first two. This publication will also show you how to treat allocated tips.

Comments and suggestions.

We welcome your comments about this publication and your suggestions for future editions.

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Internal Revenue Service
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