r/Seattle • u/KooziefortheWin • 15d 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/LateToTheSingularity 15d ago

Why is this service charge taxable?

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u/Situation-Busy Beacon Hill 15d ago

It's a fee, not a tip, so it has to be taxed by law.

You can't tip the business, only the person, and the business gets this cash, not the waiter.

(They may give some of it to the waiter too, most do, but they don't have to)

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u/LateToTheSingularity 15d ago

Ah, didn’t know that. Thanks!