For millions of tipped workers, this shift is more than a policy tweak; it feels like overdue respect written in dollars and cents. The late nights, the emotional labor, the dependence on strangers’ moods—suddenly, more of that sacrifice shows up in their hands instead of vanishing into withholding. Some use the extra cash to finally catch up on bills; others dare to imagine saving, even just a little.

Yet beneath the relief runs a quiet unease. If the government can forgo this revenue, what will it cut instead—and who will feel it first? Public schools, transit, healthcare, safety nets many of these same workers rely on could be squeezed later. At the same time, employers may see an opening to stall raises or trim base pay, arguing that “tax-free” tips make up the difference. What begins as recognition risks becoming a bargain: more take-home now, in exchange for a future that slowly, silently, costs more.