October 4, 2002

Tip Audits: Legislation Introduced!

A big first step for the industry, H.R. 5445, The Tip Tax Fairness Act was introduced by Reps. Wally Herger (R-CA) and John Tanner (D-TN) on September 24, 2002.

Restaurateurs from 47 states participated in the Capitol Hill press conference -- held in conjunction with the Public Affairs Conference. This legislation will shift the burden of enforcing tip reporting laws back to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). After the press conference, restaurateurs visited more than 400 congressional offices to gather support.

To date, the following Representatives are signed on as co-sponsors: Robert Andrews (D-1-NJ), Roscoe Bartlett (R-6-MD), Roy Blunt (R-7-MO), John Boozman (R-3-AR), Ken Calvert (R-43-CA), Mark Foley (R-16-FL), Harold Ford (D-9-TN), James Gibbons (R-2-NV), Bart Gordon (R-6-TN), Lindsey Graham (R-3-SC), Ralph Hall (D-4-TX), David Hobson (R-7-OH), John Hostlettler (R-8-IN), Ric Keller (R-8-FL), Jack Kingston (R-1-GA), Don Manzullo (R-16-IL), Mike McIntyre (D-7-NC), Mike McNulty (D-1-NY), Jeff Miller (R-1-FL), Michael Oxley (R-4-OH), Charles Pickering (R-3-MS), Deborah Pryce (R-15-OH), Paul Ryan (R-1-WI), Robert Simmons (R-2-CT), Nick Smith (R-7-MI), Patrick Tiberi (R-12-OH), and Peter Visclosky (D-1-IN).

Although this legislation will not come up for vote this fall, it is important to build a strong foundation, gather co-sponsors, and educate Congress on the issue. GO-Online http://www.restaurant.org/government/source/tipaudits.cfm for detailed information.

Source: NRA