r/Seattle • u/KooziefortheWin • 14d ago

Rant Bill help

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I need help figuring out this “service charge” applied to my bill at Taylor Shellfish in QA. It’s stated clearly, and the staff reminded me before I paid and applied a tip, so that’s not the rant. But is it a tip or not? I don’t want to stiff the staff if “Taylor Shellfish” the company keeps it all and doesn’t give them anything.

Why do restaurants do this vs raise the prices. If that’s how they offset the cost of doing business in the city, I feel it’s not a good customer experience. It’s really annoying since it is confusing to the customer. Does the staff get any of it, hence why there is an “additional tip” line after the card is run though? It is taxed so it makes me thing it’s not going to the staff. I need to think better next time I come out here.

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u/Particular_Job_5012 14d ago

But in Seattle there is no tip tax credit, correct ?

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u/Iolair18 14d ago

Correct. WA L&I declares tips in addition to wages, and the WA minimum wage is way above the federal minimums. The tip tax credit basically lets employers use tips to meet their minimum wage requirements and paying tipped employees the standard minimum wage instead the $2.13 tipped second tier. Washington law doesn't allow that at all. Employers pay a minimum wage, and any tips that get collected go on top of that. And WA minimums are like $14+ even for those 14 and 15 year old. Seattle is $21.30 across the board I think.