No Tax on Tips Act

Download PDF
Bill ID: 119/s/129
Last Updated: May 26, 2025

Sponsored by

Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

ID: C001098

Follow the money

The bill

No Tax on Tips Act

S. 129, 119th Congress β€” read as touching Restaurants & Food Service.

The sponsor

Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$1,525,021 raised

30 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Held at the desk.

May 25, 2025

Introduced

πŸ“ Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

πŸ›οΈ

Committee Review

πŸ—³οΈ

Floor Action

βœ…

Passed Senate

πŸ›οΈ

House Review

πŸŽ‰

Passed Congress

πŸ–ŠοΈ

Presidential Action

βš–οΈ

Became Law

πŸ“š How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another brilliant example of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose its true intentions.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The "No Tax on Tips Act" (S. 129) claims to eliminate income tax on qualified tips for individual taxpayers. How noble. In reality, it's a thinly veiled attempt to curry favor with the service industry lobby and line the pockets of certain politicians.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill creates a new deduction (Sec. 224) for qualified tips, allowing individuals to deduct up to $25,000 in tips from their taxable income. It also extends the credit for employer social security taxes paid on employee tips to beauty service establishments (Sec. 3). Oh, and let's not forget the obligatory "conforming amendments" to ensure this bill doesn't conflict with existing laws.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects: service industry workers, employers, and – of course – lobbyists. The National Restaurant Association, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, and other industry groups will likely be thrilled to see their campaign contributions paying off.

**Potential Impact & Implications:**

* **Revenue Loss:** By allowing individuals to deduct tips from their taxable income, the government will lose revenue. Who cares? It's not like we have a national debt or anything. * **Inequity:** This bill disproportionately benefits high-income earners in the service industry, such as bartenders and waitstaff at upscale establishments. Meanwhile, low-wage workers in other industries will continue to struggle. * **Lobbying Payoff:** The extension of the credit for employer social security taxes paid on employee tips to beauty service establishments is a clear example of lobbying influence. Who needs campaign finance reform when you can just write laws that benefit your donors?

In conclusion, this bill is a masterclass in legislative sleight-of-hand. It's a cynical attempt to buy votes and curry favor with special interest groups while masquerading as a benevolent gesture towards hardworking service industry employees. Don't be fooled – the only ones who will truly benefit from this bill are the politicians and lobbyists who crafted it.

Diagnosis: Terminal case of legislative corruption, complicated by acute symptoms of cowardice and stupidity. Prognosis: Poor. Treatment: None, as the patient is beyond saving.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

πŸ’° Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

Congress 119 β€’ 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$1,525,021
23 donors
PACs
$1,497,892
Organizations
$27,129
Committees
$0
Individuals
$0
1
WINRED
2 transactions
$1,497,892
1
FASKEN MANAGEMENT
1 transaction
$10,000
2
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF HARRISON COUNTY
1 transaction
$4,000
3
FOLAD ENTERPRISES LLC
1 transaction
$2,000
4
JOHNSEY
7 transactions
$1,854
5
BALCH & BINGHAM LLP
1 transaction
$1,000
6
PARTNERS HOTEL GROUP LLC
1 transaction
$1,000
7
KHAT INVESTMENS LLC
1 transaction
$1,000
8
PJB INVESTMENT ADVISORS LLC
1 transaction
$800
9
GRANT MORELAND LP LLC
1 transaction
$750
10
BL PARTNERS GROUP LLC
1 transaction
$750
11
MILLE'S LLC
1 transaction
$500
12
HARRY M BETTIS JR LLC
1 transaction
$500
13
ROBDON L.P.
1 transaction
$500
14
JAMES E. JOHNSON LLC
1 transaction
$500
15
FALSE RIVER VIEW LLC
1 transaction
$500
16
MURDOCK PROPERTIES LLC
1 transaction
$325
17
RESEDA HOLDINGS LLC
1 transaction
$250
18
DIXON RENTAL PROPERTIES LLC
1 transaction
$250
19
ROGERS LIVESTOCK LLC
1 transaction
$250
20
MISRASI CONCRETE LLC
1 transaction
$200
21
JOUETT LLC
1 transaction
$100
22
FORCE CONSTRUCTION OF LA LLC
1 transaction
$100

No committee contributions found

No individual contributions found

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 8 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

ID: D000618

Top Contributors

10

1
CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES OF THE FLATHEAD NATI
OrganizationPABLO, MT
$6,600
Mar 30, 2023
2
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA
$5,000
Jun 18, 2024
3
BLUECHIP FINANCIAL
OrganizationBELCOURT, ND
$3,300
Jun 20, 2024
4
HPUL PROJECT OPERATION
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Jun 20, 2024
5
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
6
SUQUAMISH INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationSUQUAMISH, WA
$3,300
Sep 20, 2024
7
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$2,500
Oct 31, 2024
8
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 5, 2024
9
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
OrganizationOKMULGEE, OK
$1,000
Jun 20, 2024
10
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$765
Oct 17, 2023

Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

ID: R000608

Top Contributors

10

1
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationTACOMA, WA
$3,700
Jul 31, 2024
2
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
OrganizationHOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
3
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
4
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 28, 2023
5
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 10, 2023
6
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 10, 2023
7
SYUCAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
8
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Mar 28, 2024
9
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
OrganizationHOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
10
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024

Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

ID: R000618

Top Contributors

10

1
SPIKE OCOTILLO LLC
OrganizationCHANDLER, AZ
$2,500
Mar 4, 2024
2
HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP
OrganizationRICHMOND, VA
$1,000
Mar 28, 2024
3
KING & SPALDING LLP
OrganizationATLANTA, GA
$1,000
Mar 29, 2024
4
GREENBERG TRAURIG
OrganizationALBANY, NY
$1,000
Apr 23, 2024
5
H.A. TRUE, III
OrganizationCASPER, WY
$1,000
Aug 22, 2024
6
DELTA AIRLINES
OrganizationATLANTA, GA
$234
Apr 17, 2023
7
VANDERSLOOT, BELINDA
SELF β€’ HOMEMAKER
IndividualIDAHO FALLS, ID
$6,600
Mar 4, 2024
8
VANDERSLOOT, FRANK
MELALEUCA β€’ OWNER
IndividualIDAHO FALLS, ID
$6,600
Mar 4, 2024
9
MANDELBLATT, DANIELLE
RETIRED
IndividualASPEN, CO
$6,600
Jun 7, 2024
10
MANDELBLATT, ERIC
SOROBAN CAPITAL PARTNERS LP β€’ MANAGING PARTNER
IndividualASPEN, CO
$6,600
Jun 7, 2024

Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

ID: C001113

Top Contributors

10

1
LAS VEGAS PAIUTE TRIBE
OrganizationLAS VEGAS, NV
$3,300
Nov 28, 2023
2
MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$2,500
Dec 20, 2023
3
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$1,500
Oct 2, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Apr 26, 2024
5
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jul 11, 2023
6
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
OrganizationOKMULGEE, OK
$1,000
Sep 18, 2024
7
MOHEGAN TRIBE OF INDIANS OF CONNECTICUT
OrganizationUNCASVILLE, CT
$1,000
Aug 12, 2024
8
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$550
Oct 2, 2023
9
LONGTIN, LUANN
IndividualPOTOMAC, MD
$17,325
Jun 30, 2024
10
SLIFKA, ROSALYN
IndividualWALTHAM, MA
$5,800
Jun 30, 2024

Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]

ID: H001089

Top Contributors

10

1
R&W TOWING & RECOVERY
OrganizationST JOSEPH, MO
$3,300
Sep 18, 2024
2
SOUTHERN MISSOURI REAL ESTATE LLC
OrganizationAURORA, MO
$1,000
Jun 28, 2023
3
ST LOUIS CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP PAC
OrganizationCHESTERFIELD, MO
$914
Oct 31, 2024
4
MARK FAUGHN CONSTRUCTION LLC
OrganizationPOPLAR BLUFF, MO
$250
May 22, 2023
5
SCHELL, MARK CHRISTOPHER
DIAMOND PET FOOD β€’ MANAGER
IndividualLOHMAN, MO
$13,200
Apr 13, 2023
6
CARR, GEORGE T.
THE DURHAM CO β€’ MANAGEMENT
IndividualSPRINGFIELD, MO
$12,200
Apr 21, 2023
7
RUSSELL, DOUG MR.
DURHAM COMPANY β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualLEBANON, MO
$7,400
Apr 21, 2023
8
SHELTON, GREGORY P. MR.
SHELTON WHOLESALE β€’ OWNER
IndividualEAGLEVILLE, MO
$6,600
Mar 11, 2024
9
WALDEN, MICHAEL
SHOOK HARDY BACON β€’ ATTORNEY
IndividualMISSION HILLS, KS
$6,600
Mar 31, 2023
10
WILLARD, BRADLEY
WILLARD ASPHALT PAVING β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualLEBANON, MO
$6,600
Mar 31, 2023

Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]

ID: S001217

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]

ID: C001096

Top Contributors

10

1
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
2
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Jun 14, 2024
3
SISSETON-WAHPETON OYATE
OrganizationAGENCY VILLAGE, SD
$2,500
Jun 21, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 18, 2024
5
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$600
Jun 6, 2023
6
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$400
Jun 6, 2023
7
WALSH, RICHARD
IndividualLAKE WORTH BEACH, FL
$6,700
Oct 16, 2024
8
JORDAN, BORIS
CURALEAF β€’ EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
IndividualBOCA RATON, FL
$6,600
Sep 15, 2023
9
SMITH, BRAD
MICROSOFT CORPORATION β€’ ATTORNEY
IndividualBELLEVUE, WA
$6,600
Sep 29, 2023
10
KAPLAN, DAVID
ARES MANAGEMENT β€’ CO-FOUNDER
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$6,600
Oct 11, 2023

Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]

ID: M001198

Top Contributors

10

1
THE KROGER CO. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PACCINCINNATI, OH
$3,000
Mar 16, 2023
2
THE KROGER CO. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PACCINCINNATI, OH
$2,500
Mar 23, 2023
3
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$2,500
Mar 31, 2023
4
THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE FERTILIZER INSTITUTE
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$1,500
Mar 31, 2023
5
ILLIG, MICHAEL
TIFEC LLC β€’ PRIVATE EQUITY
IndividualLEAWOOD, KS
$13,200
Nov 3, 2024
6
MADAY, GREG
SPECCHEM β€’ CHAIRMAN CEO
IndividualMISSION HILLS, KS
$13,200
Nov 11, 2024
7
ILLIG, BONNE
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualLEAWOOD, KS
$6,600
Nov 2, 2024
8
ILLIG, AMY
HOMEMAKER β€’ HOMEMAKER
IndividualLEAWOOD, KS
$6,600
Nov 12, 2024
9
MADAY, LIZ
SPECCHEM β€’ DIRECTOR
IndividualMISSION HILLS, KS
$6,600
Nov 12, 2024
10
MAXWELL, KORB II
POLSINELLI β€’ SHAREHOLDER
IndividualFAIRWAY, KS
$6,600
Nov 3, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 52 nodes and 45 connections (37 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $1,567,235

Top Donors - Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

Showing top 23 donors by contribution amount

1 PAC22 Orgs

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 1 helped.

  • Section 2(a)(1) creates a deduction for qualified tips received by individuals in occupations that traditionally receive tips, which includes restaurant servers, bartenders, and other food service workers. Section 2(c)(1) defines qualified tips as cash tips received in such occupations, and Section 2(a)(2) requires the Treasury to publish a list of traditionally tipped occupations, which will include food service roles. This reduces taxable income for tipped employees in restaurants and food ser

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β€” they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HELPS

  • from 31 contributions
    • MURPH, ALAN$1,675
    • DICK, CHERYL$500
    • LICHTER, NANCY$500
    • BABER, NATHAN$440
    • MATEU, CARLOS$250

Related Bills