Tipping and Tax Question??

[CDoobee]

We will be a party of 8 on free dining, so we will have the automatic 18% gratuity added to our bill. I am trying to figure out each family's share of the tip ahead of time. I know for some of our ADRs, it will depend what people order, but we have 4 meals that are buffets or fixed price meals.

Does anyone know what the tax on meals is in WDW, so I can figure out our totals for these meals, and figure out our tips ahead of time??

Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

[TDC Nala]

Tax is included in the DDP. You just need to figure tips.

 

[CDoobee]

Thanks, but isn't the tip figured on the total WITH tax added? If so, I'd like to figure what the tax is, so I can figure out tip.

 

[asmit4]

I thought for buffets, there was no tax... as in if the buffet says 18.99, that's what it is. I could be wrong though.

 

[CDoobee]

I thought for buffets, there was no tax... as in if the buffet says 18.99, that's what it is. I could be wrong though.

Maybe. I never heard that. If so, I wonder if it would
be the same for fixed price places like Garden Grill and Grand Gathering events?

Anybody?

 

[CUKU4DIS]

We went last September with free DDP. If the service was fantastic we would leave additional tip. Of course we got fantastic service exept for one place OHANA. We loved the atmosphere and food but our waiter wasn't very DISNEY-LIKE. Soooo, we did not leave an extra tip. Honestly, I really don't think alot of guest that we talked to were leaving tips since they already add the 18%.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks, but isn't the tip figured on the total WITH tax added? If so, I'd like to figure what the tax is, so I can figure out tip.

I remember reading that tax around there is about 7%.


But I only tip based on the cost of the food/drink, not with tax on top of that. Ifyou did that, how does doubling the tax to get the tip amount work? If, here in WA, tax is 9% (or so), you double the amount of the tax to get around 18% to know what to tip. If we were tipping based on food/drink plus tax, that wouldn't work.

 

[jellybeans0607]

i am alomost positive you tip is figure before tax.

but i do have a question, what if you dont feel the tip is deserved, can you leave less? i understand they bring you the tip bill, but is that just a guideline?

 

[Lehuaann]

i am alomost positive you tip is figure before tax.

but i do have a question, what if you dont feel the tip is deserved, can you leave less? i understand they bring you the tip bill, but is that just a guideline?

That's correct. Tip percentage should be determined on your "pre-tax amount". However, most restaurants (after authorizing your card) will come back to the table and give you the signature/tip receipt with a post-tax amount on which to tip . We always go back and correct it to the pre-tax amount...you dont tip taxes!!~

 

[CDoobee]

Thank you all!

That helps a lot!!

 

[LizinSTL]

We will be a party of 8 on free dining, so we will have the automatic 18% gratuity added to our bill. I am trying to figure out each family's share of the tip ahead of time. I know for some of our ADRs, it will depend what people order, but we have 4 meals that are buffets or fixed price meals.

Does anyone know what the tax on meals is in WDW, so I can figure out our totals for these meals, and figure out our tips ahead of time??

Thanks for any help you can give me!

Tax is 6.5% but your tip will be figured on the pre-tax amount. I have heard that the server will divide the auto-gratuity between "rooms" on the DDP. But I can't confirm that information first hand.

 

[kwlewis10]

That's correct. Tip percentage should be determined on your "pre-tax amount". However, most restaurants (after authorizing your card) will come back to the table and give you the signature/tip receipt with a post-tax amount on which to tip . We always go back and correct it to the pre-tax amount...you dont tip taxes!!~

So are you saying that if I have the auto-18% that they will bring me my tip bill already calculated at a post-tax amount and then I have to hassle to adjust the 18% off of the pre-tax amount? I'm already stressing about having to reduce 18% b/c of poor service and 3 screaming kids.

 

[Tricia1972]

So are you saying that if I have the auto-18% that they will bring me my tip bill already calculated at a post-tax amount and then I have to hassle to adjust the 18% off of the pre-tax amount? I'm already stressing about having to reduce 18% b/c of poor service and 3 screaming kids.

Food/Beverage Bill - $100
Tax - $6.50
Suggested Tip - $18
Suggested Tip - $20

Tips are calculated on the food/beverage portion. Your receipt will be as shown above with the appropriate tip.

 

[Lehuaann]

So are you saying that if I have the auto-18% that they will bring me my tip bill already calculated at a post-tax amount and then I have to hassle to adjust the 18% off of the pre-tax amount? I'm already stressing about having to reduce 18% b/c of poor service and 3 screaming kids.

Bless your heart...I know what you are saying!

I am not sure which amount Disney will use to compute their auto gratuity although it is customary to base all gratuity percentages upon the pre-tax amount or subtotal (the actual cost of food and beverages).

If I was on auto gratuity and had excellent service I would probably just pay whatever they determine at 18% and be done with it. If I was not on auto gratuity I would calculate my percentages (depending on service) upon the pre-tax amount.

If service absolutely stinks on auto gratuity, we would most definitely take the time to address management on service/gratuity. I would ask if the "auto gratuity" is defined as a "service charge" (mandatory/legally required) or a "convenience gratuity" (voluntary tip/gift added for convenience). I believe a service charge must be stated as so to be legally required.

I hope this helps~

BTW: We just went out to a well known steakhouse tonight and they brought the itemized receipt (example: Food & Drinks/Subtotal $50/Taxes/Total $55).
However after they authorized our card and brought us the gratuity receipt (Subtotal/Tip/Signature), the amount stated "Subtotal $55".....COMPLETELY annoying and deceptive.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Disney will calculate the tip - excuse me, in the OP's case service charge - at 18% of the price of the items ordered from the restaurant. They do not include the tax when calculating the tip, and in fact since this is money that goes entirely and directly to the government, it is NEVER necessary tip on the post-tax check.

 

[SoonipiLady]

Bless your heart...I know what you are saying!


BTW: We just went out to a well known steakhouse tonight and they brought the itemized receipt (example: Food & Drinks/Subtotal $50/Taxes/Total $55).
However after they authorized our card and brought us the gratuity receipt (Subtotal/Tip/Signature), the amount stated "Subtotal $55".....COMPLETELY annoying and deceptive.

They don't separate tax out on any sort of purchases. I know it would make it easier, but can you imagine your gas receipt;

Gas
federal gas tax
state gas tax
total

What a waste of paper that would be!! But the real reason is that many states have different tax for "retail" and "food and beverage" Some even have different rates on "food and beverage" and "alcholic beverages". THe updating of the computer programs that run those cc machines would be endless.

The easiest way to figure it out is that the tax is 6.5%. If you get decent service, double the tax and round up (to get to 15%); triple it and round up (to get to 20%), for excellent service!

If your math skills are shut down for vacation (like mine always are), carry a tip card....easy!

 

[bumbershoot]

SoonipiLady, I think she was saying that at this restaurant, their first slip of paper, the one people often don't scrutinize for tip purposes, listed the food and drink total and the tip amount and that total, but when they brought the other slip out, the one where you put the tip amount and the total you're authorizing, it had the FULL amount on their as "subtotal". So if you hadn't checked out the first slip, to figure out the tip from, you might end up figuring it on the items+tax amount, which isn't cool.

 

[Lehuaann]

They don't separate tax out on any sort of purchases. I know it would make it easier, but can you imagine your gas receipt;

Gas
federal gas tax
state gas tax
total

What a waste of paper that would be!! But the real reason is that many states have different tax for "retail" and "food and beverage" Some even have different rates on "food and beverage" and "alcholic beverages". THe updating of the computer programs that run those cc machines would be endless.

The easiest way to figure it out is that the tax is 6.5%. If you get decent service, double the tax and round up (to get to 15%); triple it and round up (to get to 20%), for excellent service!

If your math skills are shut down for vacation (like mine always are), carry a tip card....easy!

I'm confused....did I use the wording "separate tax"?? I was illustrating the outline of a receipt for gratuity purposes, not taxes.

Fuel: Taxes are automatically computed into the amount so what you see is what you pay.

Let me break it down for you one more time hopefully you'll see what I am saying next time you dine out............

Itemized Receipt
(2)Steak Dinners $46
(2)Drinks $4
Subtotal (you tip on) $50
Taxes $5
Total $55

However when the waiter/waitress brings you back the 2 "signature receipts" (one for you, one for them) it switches totals and uses the figure of the Total ($55) as the Subtotal (remember the amount you tip on).

Signature Receipt (2 identical)
Subtotal $55
Tip________
Total______
Sign_______

TO THE OP: Hopefully you understood my earlier post to you...have a blessed day~

 

[Lehuaann]

SoonipiLady, I think she was saying that at this restaurant, their first slip of paper, the one people often don't scrutinize for tip purposes, listed the food and drink total and the tip amount and that total, but when they brought the other slip out, the one where you put the tip amount and the total you're authorizing, it had the FULL amount on their as "subtotal". So if you hadn't checked out the first slip, to figure out the tip from, you might end up figuring it on the items+tax amount, which isn't cool.

You Got It!!!!

 

[LizinSTL]

I'm confused....did I use the wording "separate tax"?? I was illustrating the outline of a receipt for gratuity purposes, not taxes.

Fuel: Taxes are automatically computed into the amount so what you see is what you pay.

Let me break it down for you one more time hopefully you'll see what I am saying next time you dine out............

Itemized Receipt
(2)Steak Dinners $46
(2)Drinks $4
Subtotal (you tip on) $50
Taxes $5
Total $55

However when the waiter/waitress brings you back the 2 "signature receipts" (one for you, one for them) it switches totals and uses the figure of the Total ($55) as the Subtotal (remember the amount you tip on).

Signature Receipt (2 identical)
Subtotal $55
Tip________
Total______
Sign_______

TO THE OP: Hopefully you understood my earlier post to you...have a blessed day~

So all this fuss over $.75-$1.00?? Unless your bill is really really big, I don't see what the big deal is. It's one of those things- if you are careful and pay attention, you'll save a few cents. If not, oh well. I don't over think the tip all that much. If I had a bill with a $50 subtotal- I'd leave AT least $10 probably a bit more. If the bill was $55- I'd probably leave at least $11. The server isn't being sneaky, IMO, it's the system/computer. Besides, in most cases, the full itemized bill is still in the folder w/ the cc slip. Not necessarily always at disney, but in the real world!