Do aesthetics registered nurse tips qualify

iu27
iu27 Member Posts: 2 Newcomer
in Income

Hello,

I am a registered nurse working as an aesthetic nurse in a med spa. I do not work in a hospital or traditional clinic. My role involves performing injectables (Botox and fillers), IV therapy, and IM vitamin injections under my RN license.

Because of the nature of the industry, I regularly receive tips from clients, which I report as income.

I would like clarification on whether these tips would qualify under the new “no tax on tips” deduction, given that I am performing medical procedures under a nursing license rather than working in a traditional tipped service role.

Thank you for your guidance

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Best Answer

  • MatthewD
    MatthewD FreeTaxUSA Admin, FreeTaxUSA Agent Posts: 1,004 image
    edited May 14 Answer ✓

    Hi iu27,

    You have a valid question and point. The IRS published a list of jobs covered by the "no tax on tips:" law, in eight general categories. The category you would likely fall under is, Personal Appearance and Wellness Services, which includes, massage therapists, hairdressers, makeup and tattoo artist, etc.

    Aesthetics Registered Nurse (RN) tips likely do not qualify for the "no tax on tips" federal deduction starting in 2026, as regulations exclude tips received within the field of health. Although you work in a beauty-adjacent industry, RNs in med spas performing medical procedures (like Botox or fillers) under a license fall under health, not personal care services (which are eligible.)

    There isn't any clear guidelines for a nurse in a medspa to use the deduction. However, if you feel you may qualify for the deduction, then you will find the tip deduction on the page after entering your W2.

Answers

  • iu27
    iu27 Member Posts: 2 Newcomer

    Thank you! That is what I was thinking as well. It sounds like a gray area, that why I asked the question. Thank you for the clarification!

  • nathanielcarrington
    nathanielcarrington Member Posts: 1 Newcomer

    This seems to fall into a grey area because the work is carried out under a nursing licence, even though the setting is a med spa rather than a hospital. The key issue is whether the income is treated as part of a healthcare service or a personal wellness service for tax purposes. Since injectables and IV therapies are regulated medical procedures in many jurisdictions, the IRS may view the tips differently from salon or beauty-related gratuities.

    There have also been similar discussions around professional liability and the classification of aesthetic treatment services in Ireland, especially where delayed treatment or medical judgement is involved. A useful legal overview can be found if you click here. It highlights how medical responsibility is still attached to practitioners operating outside a traditional hospital environment, which could support the argument that your role remains healthcare-based rather than hospitality-based.

    Until more direct guidance is issued, keeping detailed records and speaking with a qualified tax adviser would probably be the safest route.

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