kimilseung

Annoys me. I am often reminded of the accounts of Barcelona during the civil war when tips were refused as offensive, once they had started to structure things so that staff were receiving fair wages.

Employers should be paying at least minimum wage, but one has to balance what one thinks should be with what is, and the knowledge that they will be taxed on a tip whether I give it or not. I think the price on the menu should be the price I am expected to pay, but it isn't.

I objected to the tax being added on at the till, but I understand it a little more now. It is the price that you would pay if the government was not involved (maybe.....as without some regulation that price would probably be higher in some instances and lower in others) This is the country of suspicion of government, so it should not surprise us that services try to distance themselves from governmental taxes.

Oh yes....I tip on pre-tax not post-tax

Michael

Have you ever been to Switzerland? They add a 15% tip directly on the bill. Many Americans don't realize that and tip the server another 15%.

Scouse Express

They do it over here, normally with groups of 6-8 or more, depending on the Restaurant.


Jim.

Michael

I was doing a search and noticed that 15% gratuity is included also. Does that mean that the price quoted in France includes a tip or 15% will be added to the bill? In Switzerland 15% gratuity is added to the bill.

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2007/04/tipping-in-fran-1/

penguinbar

I bartend in NYC. I get $5.00 an hour plus tips. I work in a nice Italian Restaurant. Almost all my tips are on credit cards which go on my paycheck and get taxed and the cash is claimed too off of sales. My boss expects me to create drink specials seasonally as well which I don't get paid any extra for. I do my best and try to get to know my customers and therefore have built up a nice clientele who tips rather well. The restaurant does add 18% gratuity to parties of 6 or more . Since I live in NYC I pay City as well as state tax. Employers do not have to pay regular minimum wage to wait and bar staff since it is expected that we will receive tips. My boss also charges us for our shift meal in the restaurant as well. We wanted to opt out of that but legally he can charge us whether we eat it or not.
I enjoy my job and work hard for my tips. I stock the bar, shlep up buckets of ice and cases of beer and wine. I start at 3 even though we don't open until 5:30. I know some of you have an issue with tipping but this is what I and many people live on. If you don't like the service talk to the manager. Please tip for good service!

penguinbar

In some restaurants in Europe the service charge goes to the house and the waitstaff never sees it.

dbj1000

I have no problem whatsoever with tipping (typically 20% for wait staff in my case). What you've just reminded me, however, is that I should tip in cash... which is difficult since I haven't actually had any cash in my wallet in many months. I shall make an effort to have a stash set aside for tipping.

penguinbar

Tips are appreciated no matter what! I am actually glad (believe it or not) that my tips are taxed. I don't have to worry about owing taxes on them when I file my returns since they were already taxed or getting red flagged by the IRS. I pay taxes on tens of thousands of dollars in tips each year. I know people who have owed alot of money when they file or who have gotten audited when the IRS saw they were a bartender or waitress and claimed less than $5000 in income for the year!

CherryPi

I have no problem with tipping, my only annoyance is when you get crappy service and then when you tip the bare minimum as a reflection, you are the asshole.

Michael

Do you pay FICA, self employment taxes, or neither on tips?

penguinbar

I pay it all. My tips go directly into my paycheck . In some restaurants you receive the credit cards tips as cash at the end of the night. I do not. Let's say my salary for the week was $200 ($5 an hour times 40 hours) My credit card tips were $1000. I'm lucky if I receive cash and if I do my employer taxes the tips on the cash sales. I would pay the full tax on $1200 plus whatever cash tips that I received.

penguinbar

Every restaurant is different. I can only go by where I work.

penguinbar

If you receive crappy service you should talk to the manager. Sometimes "crappy service" Is not the waitstaff's fault. The kitchen could be slow or behind or they could have a jerk for a bartender who is slow giving them drinos for the table. I used to manage as well. It was more hours and less money and a hell of alot more aggravation! You are

penguinbar

I cut myself off. If the service is indeed the bar or waitstaff's fault you are not required to leave a good tip.

Michael

You can't pay both. If you pay FICA, your employer matches that amount. If you pay self employment tax, you pay both the employee as well as the employers share.

From your statement, I suspect you pay FICA. Is that correct? You would only pay self employment tax if you were considered an independent contractor.