Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, September 9, 2017

9

FOOD AND DRINK & MORE

Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 9, 2017 


TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com

UNCLE SAM STEPS IN FOR YOUR TIPS

My dearly departed pappy Elmer Dills would tell 
me, don‘t argue sex, politics and or religion, I must 
add tipping to the list. I have used this topic many 
times on my radio show, Dining with Dills on AM 
830 KLAA Radio to get the phones buzzing. 

 There is a new law on the books, actually an old 
law that is now being enforced. Since January 1, 
the IRS will classify automatic gratuities as service 
charges that are taxable as regular wages and 
subject to payroll tax withholding. That might 
sound like a bunch of tax law mumbo jumbo, 
but what it means is that restaurants have to treat 
those tips like regular wages.

 Typically, the IRS left it up to the waiter or 
tipped employees to declare that money. But with 
this new change the waiter won’t see those “tips” 
until payday—instead of the end of the shift. And 
restaurants will have to withhold federal income, 
Social Security and Medicare taxes on that money, 
too.

 What it means for the diner is that those 
automatic 18% gratuity charges on tables of 6 or 
more may well be a thing of the past. The addition 
has been added onto large parties to ensure that 
servers are paid for catering to a large group.

 That doesn’t mean you should use this an excuse 
to start stiffing people. 

 The new rule actually went into effect in June 
of 2012, however the IRS postponed enforcement 
until recently to give restaurateurs enough time to 
adjust and properly comply.

 While it might seem great to have some freedom 
as a customer, the service industry isn’t so excited 
about the idea.

 Tips… To insure proper service. Here is my 
rundown and no it hasn’t changed in twenty years 
of reviewing restaurants.

 Anyone in any country that provides a service 
should be rewarded.

 10% buffet plus $2 directly to busboy that 
brought you water and had to clean up after the 
kids through Jell-O on the ground.

 $1 for each drink at the bar

 $2 for a to go order, as long as they got it right

 12% fair service, means they brought you the 
food and came back with your check

 15% Good service brought you your food and 
drinks and refilled drinks and asked how was it

 18% Very Good service all of the above plus 
asked you if your meal was prepared to your liking 

 20-25% All of the above, brought items in proper 
order, waited for you to ask for check, asked if 
there is a validation needed and please ask for me 
next time.

 One more note… I subtract 5% when the server 
blames the kitchen for a mistake, got it !!

 This a fun conversation please listen in AM 830 
KLAA and soon on KRLA on Sundays at 5PM 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com