Two of the most consequential OBBBA provisions for everyday workers are the new tips deduction and the new overtime deduction. Both are above the line. Both reduce AGI. Both are available without itemizing.
The Tips Deduction
For tax years 2025 through 2028, qualified tips received in occupations that customarily received tips on or before December 31, 2024 are deductible up to $25,000 per year above the line on Schedule 1.
Who qualifies
- Servers and bartenders
- Delivery drivers (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, Instacart)
- Rideshare drivers (Uber, Lyft)
- Hairstylists, barbers, nail technicians, estheticians
- Hotel and resort staff
- Casino employees
- Valet attendants
- Other tipped service occupations recognized as customary tipping roles
How to claim
Tips are still reported on the W-2 (Box 7) or self-reported on Form 4137. The deduction is computed on Schedule 1. The tax software handles the math when you mark the income as qualified tips.
The Overtime Deduction
Up to $12,500 of FLSA overtime (the half-time premium portion only) is deductible above the line for 2025. The deduction phases out when MAGI exceeds $150,000 single or $300,000 MFJ.
What the half-time premium means
FLSA overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate. The "premium" portion is the 0.5 part. So if you earn $30/hour and work 50 hours in a week (10 OT hours), the overtime premium portion is 10 × $15 = $150. That $150 is what counts toward the deduction.
Who qualifies
- Hourly non-exempt workers covered by FLSA
- Manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution workers
- Healthcare workers (nurses, technicians, aides)
- Construction trades
- Retail and food service hourly staff
- First responders (police, fire, EMS) where covered
How to claim
The overtime hours and pay should be on the W-2 with proper coding. The deduction is computed on Schedule 1. Track your overtime hours through pay stubs in case the IRS or the preparer needs to substantiate.
The combined math
A waiter who earned $18,000 in tips and worked 200 hours of overtime (premium portion $1,500) deducts $19,500 above the line. At a 22% marginal rate, that is approximately $4,290 in federal tax savings. For a worker earning $50,000, that is meaningful.
Kreyol summary
OBBBA bay 2 nouvo dediksyon pou 2025. Tips: jiska $25,000 deduiktib above the line. Overtime: jiska $12,500 (pati premium 0.5x). Tou de rédui AGI san itemize. Mande chak kliyan si yo resevwa tips epi si yo fè overtime.
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