The fine print
Effective October 5, 2026
General information
Tablecost explains formulas and rules that apply to many restaurants. It isn't tax, legal, accounting or payroll advice, and using it doesn't make us your adviser. Before you change pay, tip policies or prices based on a page, check the current rule for your state and city, or ask an accountant or employment lawyer who works with restaurants.
Rules depend on where you are
Minimum wage, tip credits, tip pooling, sales tax on food and food truck permits are set by federal, state and local law, and several change every January. Each page says which places it covers and when it was last checked.
Calculators
Calculators use the formula printed on the page and round to the cent. Their answers are only as good as the costs you enter, so use real invoice prices and weighed portions.
Names
Tablecost isn't affiliated with any government agency or any company it mentions. Product and company names belong to their owners and are used only to identify them.
Using the site
You're welcome to use the calculators and print pages for your own business. Please don't republish the text as your own.