• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts

2

Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it

3

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts

1

U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts

2

Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it

3

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
FinanceTaxes

White House officials are considering a higher tax rate for the wealthiest Americans to help pay for cutting taxes on tips, report says

Jason Ma
By
Jason Ma
Jason Ma
Weekend Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
Jason Ma
By
Jason Ma
Jason Ma
Weekend Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 31, 2025, 1:26 PM ET
Ending taxes on tips was one of President Donald Trump's top campaign pledges, and he has reaffirmed it since returning to the White House.
Ending taxes on tips was one of President Donald Trump's top campaign pledges, and he has reaffirmed it since returning to the White House.Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.
  • An option under discussion in the Trump administration is allowing the top tax rate to go back up to help cover tax cuts on income earned via tips, a senior White House official told Axios. That comes as President Donald Trump’s tax cuts from his first term are due to expire at the end of the year, while Congress works on legislation to extend them.

The Trump administration is considering an option to let the tax rate on the wealthiest Americans go back up to help pay for tax cuts on income earned from tips, a senior White House official told Axios.

Recommended Video

Ending taxes on tips was one of President Donald Trump’s top campaign pledges, and he has reaffirmed it since returning to the White House. But extending his earlier tax cuts and making them permanent was also a campaign pledge.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was Trump’s signature economic policy achievement in his first term and lowered the top income tax rate to 37%. The law expires this year, and failure to extend it would send the top rate back to 39.6%.

Republicans in Congress are crafting legislation to renew Trump’s tax cuts while also looking for areas to slash federal spending to help offset some of the fiscal impact.

The possibility of letting the top rate rise comes as Republicans acknowledge the political risks of the tax-cut agenda, which Democrats have said will help the wealthy and result in cuts to Medicaid.

“If we renew tax cuts for the rich paid for by throwing people off Medicaid, we’re gonna get f—ing slaughtered,” the White House official told Axios, which added that discussions are still early and nothing has been decided yet.

Indeed, even former Trump advisor Steve Bannon has warned against Medicaid cuts amid a quiet rebellion among Republicans representing working-class and low-income areas.

“Medicaid, you gotta be careful,” Bannon said on his podcast last month. “Because a lot of MAGAs are on Medicaid, I’m telling you. If you don’t think so, you are dead wrong.”

The White House didn’t immediately respond to Fortune‘s request for comment.

Trump has also said his steep tariffs are another way to raise federal revenue, providing more leeway to cut income taxes.

Reports over the weekend said he is pushing his advisors to get more aggressive on tariffs, perhaps even a single levy of up to 20% on nearly all U.S. trading partners.

Meanwhile, eliminating taxes on tips may not be as populist as it seems, as benefits would be limited while it could worsen tipping fatigue and encourage wealthier Americans to report more of their income as tips.

Families could their see annual tax bill come down by an average of $1,700 with the elimination of tip taxes, according to a recent report from the Budget Lab at Yale University.

But only about 4% of families report tips to the IRS, and they are mostly young, unmarried, and lower-income, the report added.

“This means that many tipped workers do not pay income tax to begin with and would not benefit from a new deduction,” the report said.

On the flip side, a separate report last month from the Economic Policy Institute warned that high-income professionals, like lawyers, financial advisors, and accountants, could report their fees as tips to avoid paying tax.

In addition, some low-income tipped workers would lose money by no longer being eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, according to the report, while employers would have less incentive to raise base pay.

“A regressive tax gimmick that encourages the proliferation of tipping is not helpful to the workers who genuinely need help, and certainly not a ‘lifeline’ to anyone,” EPI said. “It would, however, be a boon to unscrupulous employers and tax cheats.”

About the Author
Jason Ma
By Jason MaWeekend Editor

Jason Ma is the weekend editor at Fortune, where he covers markets, the economy, finance, and housing.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Finance

The ‘Soccer Capital of America’ is now gunning for the Soccer Capital of the World (Cup)
EconomySports
The ‘Soccer Capital of America’ is now gunning for the Soccer Capital of the World (Cup)
By Catherina GioinoJuly 11, 2026
3 hours ago
There’s no escape from inflation as a perfect storm of the ‘Godzilla’ El Niño, AI boom, Trump tariffs, fuel crunch, and Ukraine war keep prices high
EconomyInflation
There’s no escape from inflation as a perfect storm of the ‘Godzilla’ El Niño, AI boom, Trump tariffs, fuel crunch, and Ukraine war keep prices high
By Jason MaJuly 11, 2026
4 hours ago
Trump undercuts GOP midterms message with snub of housing bill
PoliticsHousing
Trump undercuts GOP midterms message with snub of housing bill
By Katy O'Donnell and BloombergJuly 11, 2026
6 hours ago
Help not wanted: World Cup hiring boost has yet to materialize
Economytourism
Help not wanted: World Cup hiring boost has yet to materialize
By Augusta Saraiva, Maya Prakash and BloombergJuly 11, 2026
6 hours ago
German carmakers are suffering some of their worst declines ever in China as Q2 sales plunge 30%-41%
AsiaAutos
German carmakers are suffering some of their worst declines ever in China as Q2 sales plunge 30%-41%
By Chan Ho-Him and The Associated PressJuly 11, 2026
6 hours ago
Global oil demand is falling, and crude prices are down. But here’s why gasoline, diesel and other refined products are still costly
EnergyOil
Global oil demand is falling, and crude prices are down. But here’s why gasoline, diesel and other refined products are still costly
By Cathy Bussewitz and The Associated PressJuly 11, 2026
7 hours ago

Most Popular

U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts
Economy
U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts
By Eleanor PringleJuly 10, 2026
1 day ago
Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it
Middle East
Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it
By Jason MaJuly 10, 2026
1 day ago
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
Success
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
By Emma BurleighJuly 9, 2026
2 days ago
Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
Environment
Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 10, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of July 10, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of July 10, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 10, 2026
1 day ago
When Erling Haaland isn’t playing for Norway in the World Cup, he's investing in a chess championship and playing an animated Viking
Success
When Erling Haaland isn’t playing for Norway in the World Cup, he's investing in a chess championship and playing an animated Viking
By Emma BurleighJuly 10, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.