Tipped occupations / Personal appearance and wellness
TTOC 602
Massage therapists
Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints; may assist in assessment and therapy plans.
IRS illustrative examples, not a closed list: Masseuse, deep tissue massage therapist, sports massage therapist. Related 2018 SOC: 31-9011.
Tips in this occupation can be qualified tips only if the other rules in section 224 and Treas. Reg. § 1.224-1 are met. The occupation list was transcribed from the IRS table on October 14, 2026. The IRS page itself was last reviewed June 28, 2026.
Same category
If the same paycheck also has FLSA overtime, use the overtime calculator. Qualified overtime does not include qualified tips.
Questions
Can a massage therapists deduct tips?
Massage therapists is Treasury Tipped Occupation Code 602 on the IRS list of occupations that customarily and regularly received tips on or before December 31, 2024. Being on the list is required. The tips still have to be qualified tips: voluntary cash tips, properly reported, and not received in a specified service trade or business.
What payments are not qualified tips?
Service charges, automatic gratuities, and other mandatory amounts are not qualified tips, even if they are later paid to workers. A voluntary amount above a mandatory charge can be a qualified tip if the other rules are met. Tips are not qualified if the service is a felony or misdemeanor, or if the amount is prostitution or pornographic activity.
What is the dollar limit?
Section 224 caps the deduction at $25,000 per return for tax years 2025 through 2028, then reduces it by $100 for each $1,000 of MAGI over $150,000 ($300,000 on a joint return). Married taxpayers must file jointly. Self-employed tips cannot exceed net income from that business.