Core Points - The new federal income tax deduction for tips is more complex than the slogan "no tax on tips" suggests, with specific income caps and eligibility requirements [1][2] - The deduction could save tipped workers an average of approximately $1,985 annually, depending on their adjusted gross income (AGI) [2] Eligibility and Income Limits - Not all service workers receiving tips qualify for the deduction; there are strict income limits to prevent high earners from misclassifying wages as tips [3][4] - The deduction phases out for modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) above $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for married couples filing jointly [7] Qualified Occupations - The IRS has a list of over 60 "qualified occupations" that are eligible for the deduction, which includes various service roles [5][8] - Independent contractors can also claim the deduction, but it cannot exceed the net income from the business where the tips were earned [8] Deduction Details - Workers can deduct up to $25,000 a year in qualified tips, which lowers their AGI and can help them qualify for other tax credits [6] - Qualified tips include voluntary, non-negotiated payments from customers, while automatic service charges do not qualify [6] Reporting and Recordkeeping - Tips must be reported separately on a W-2, and workers should use Box 7 or Box 14 for their deductions [11][15] - Maintaining accurate records of cash tips is crucial, as failure to do so can complicate the deduction process [13][19] Implementation Timeline - The deduction applies to tips earned in the 2025 tax year, and workers can claim it when filing their 2025 tax return [21]

Core Viewpoint - China's factory activity showed unexpected growth in December, ending an eight-month decline, driven by pre-holiday orders as officials aim to stimulate the manufacturing sector without exacerbating deflation [1]. Group 1: Economic Indicators - The official purchasing managers' index (PMI) increased to 50.1 in December from 49.2 in November, surpassing the 50-point threshold that indicates growth and exceeding the forecast of 49.2 [2]. - The production sub-index rose to 51.7 from 50.0 in November, while new orders increased to 50.8 from 49.2, marking the strongest performance since March [4]. - Supplier delivery times improved, leading to a rise in the production and activity expectations component to 55.5, the highest since March 2024 [4]. Group 2: Sector Performance - New export orders remained weak, increasing slightly to 49.0 from 47.6 in November, highlighting the necessity for officials to enhance domestic demand and reduce reliance on U.S. demand [5]. - Confidence in the manufacturing sector appears to be improving due to pre-holiday stockpiling, particularly in the agricultural, food processing, and food and beverage sectors [6]. Group 3: Challenges and Outlook - Despite the positive PMI data, experts suggest that the improvement may be short-lived, driven by month-to-month fiscal spending fluctuations rather than a sustained recovery, with structural challenges from the property downturn and industrial overcapacity expected to persist into 2026 [3]. - Domestic demand remains depressed, as indicated by a 13.1% year-on-year decline in profits for Chinese industrial firms in November, the steepest drop in over a year, suggesting that households are not compensating for the shortfall amid a slowing global economy [7].