No Tax on Tips Calculator for California (2026)

Calculate how much California workers save now that tips are exempt from federal income tax under the OBBBA.

Minimum Wage$16.50/hr
Tipped Min. Wage$16.50/hr
State Income Tax9.3%

Your Information

Your base pay per hour
Your average tip earnings per hour worked

Your Annual Tax Savings in California

$7,018
per year in federal income tax on tips
Annual Tip Income
$49,000
Federal Tax Saved on Tips
$7,018
Your Marginal Federal Rate
22.0%
FICA Still Owed on Tips
$3,749
Annual Base Pay
$28,875
Total Annual Income
$77,875
California has a state income tax rate of 9.3%. State tax treatment of tips may vary — check your state's rules.

Tips Tax Exemption in California

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), workers in California who earn tips can deduct 100% of their tip income from federal income tax for tax years 2025 through 2028.

California Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers

The minimum wage in California is $16.50/hour. California does not allow a lower tipped minimum wage — all workers receive the full minimum wage regardless of tip income.

Top Tipped Industries in California

  • Restaurant servers
  • Bartenders
  • Rideshare drivers
  • Hair stylists

State Income Tax Applies

California has a state income tax rate of 9.3%. While the OBBBA exempts tips from federal income tax, California may still tax tip income at the state level. Check with a local tax professional for details.

How the No Tax on Tips Law Works

What Qualifies

  • Cash tips received directly from customers
  • Credit/debit card tips
  • Tips from tip pools or tip sharing
  • Service charges distributed as tips

What Doesn't Change

  • FICA taxes still apply: You still pay 6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare on tip income
  • Tips must still be reported: Report all tips to your employer and on your tax return
  • Income limit: The exemption applies to workers earning less than $160,000 per year

Federal Calculators

Compare with the federal-level tools: Tip Tax Savings (Federal) | Overtime Tax Savings (Federal)

Calculate Tips Tax Savings for Other States