Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)

Conformity

Most states use the federal tax code as a starting point for their calculations of state personal income taxes, corporate income taxes, and estate taxes.

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Tip Exemptions Have No Place in State Income Tax

March 25, 2025 • By Eli Byerly-Duke, Nick Johnson

Tip Exemptions Have No Place in State Income Tax

Creating a special tax break for tipped income – as at least 20 states are considering this spring – would harm state budgets, encourage tax avoidance, and fail to reach the vast majority of low- and middle-income workers.