Iowa Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is making headlines after a recent restaurant visit, where she left what many online users are calling a “ridiculous” tip.
The congresswoman posted a photo of her receipt on X on Monday to celebrate the GOP’s new “no tax on tips” provision included in U.S. President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Highlights
- Iowa GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks posted a photo celebrating the 'no tax on tips' law, but left a tip under the recommended 20% guideline.
- The tweet went viral, with people criticizing the congresswoman for leaving a $3 tip.
- The ‘no tax on tips’ law excludes Social Security, Medicare, and local taxes and mostly benefits earners above $150,000 annually.
In her post, Miller-Meeks wrote, “Made a pit stop in Iowa County for lunch at Sun Down Bar and Grill. I got to celebrate No Tax on Tips with our wonderful server, she’s thrilled about this provision and excited to keep more of what she earns!”
Iowa Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks drew criticism online
Image credits: Tom Williams/Getty Images
She included a photo of her receipt, showing a $7 order of corn nuggets and a $10 Philly cheesesteak sandwich, which totaled $18.19 with tax.
Miller-Meeks left $21 in cash and some coins on the table, effectively leaving a tip under 19%, less than the standard recommended minimum of 20% in the U.S. for good service.
The receipt indicated that a 20% tip on the bill would have been $3.40.
“You’d think the server would at least get $5 since you’re using her as a political prop on a cash tip she wouldn’t have reported,” one user commented, while another wrote, “I’ve never seen someone brag so hard about being such a cheap a**hole.”
Another user wrote, “She took no tax on tips to just no tips.”
The congresswoman’s post quickly went viral, reaching millions of views and sparking thousands of comments.
In response, Miller-Meeks’ office defended the tip.
Anthony Fakhoury, her communications director, told CBS 2 Iowa, “The Congresswoman left a 20% tip, and unlike Democrats, she did not vote to increase taxes on hardworking Iowans. ‘No Tax on Tips’ means more money in the pockets of servers, not the IRS.”
Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law earlier this year, promised to eliminate federal income taxes on both tips and overtime pay, though it comes with limits: Workers won’t get all their tips and overtime completely tax-free.
The tax break only affects federal income tax. Other taxes, like Social Security and Medicare, still apply. State and local taxes also still apply.
Social media users were quick to point out that Miller-Meek left less than the recommended 20% tip to her server
Image credits: X
However, not all workers qualify, and there are limits on how much you can deduct and which taxes are affected.
The criteria only apply to those earning more than $150,000 a year, since people who make less than that don’t pay federal income tax anyway.
Workers can deduct up to $25,000 in tips per year and up to $12,500 in overtime pay.
According to the Yale Budget Lab’s analysis of 2023 data, only 4 million workers, accounting for 2.5% of the U.S. workforce, held jobs where tips are common.
Among them, 60% of the households would receive a tax cut amounting to $1,700 per household per year.
Image credits: KC McGinnis/Getty Images
The study also notes that only 4% of families report tips to the IRS, and those who do are usually young, unmarried, and lower-income. Hence, the tax proportion disproportionately helps those with a higher salary.
Many social media users were concerned about the size of Miller-Meeks’ tip rather than the policy itself.
People questioned her salary, saying, “Making $194,705 a year and dropping $3 and some change as a tip is some real dirty work,” or her behavior, “If you tip 18% when you are sharing with the world, what do you tip when there aren’t any cameras?”
The ‘no tax on tips’ plan exempts tips from federal income tax, but not local, Social Security, or Medicare taxes
The viral post comes as Miller-Meeks faces renewed political competition. Democrat Christina Bohannan, who was narrowly defeated by Miller-Meeks in last year’s Iowa 1st Congressional District election, has announced plans to run again in 2026.
Bohannan has criticized Miller-Meeks for prioritizing partisan politics over the local people.
“From cutting Medicaid, to siding with DOGE’s devastating cuts to Social Security, to enabling unelected, unaccountable billionaires like Elon Musk – Miller-Meeks has forgotten about us,” Bohannan said last month. “It’s time someone put Iowa first.”
Image credits: X
Local Republicans have defended Miller-Meeks’ tweet. Emily Tuttle of the National Republican Congressional Committee told Iowa News Now that they “should focus on the 25+ public events Congresswoman Miller-Meeks has hosted this month to serve Iowans while two-time loser Christina Bohannon has been hiding in her Florida mansion.”
Miller-Meeks had stopped at the Sundown Bar and Grill during a Made in America manufacturing tour, where she was visiting local manufacturers and promoting American-made products.
She highlighted the impact of Trump’s bill, citing that it provides workforce training, tax breaks, and investment incentives.