Here's my cut on it as a bussiness man
I own a small business and form time to time I'm required to travel and spend nights in hotels... I can only deduct what I have receipts for and any cash out pocket expense is always subject to question. Many of the places I stay and eat at, do include on my bill gratuities as a favor to me for tax purposes.
When I stay in Mexico, which is quite often, they explain, its so they can legally claim it as actual wages to the servants and not just a guess. Perhaps that's why they do it here as well. With Uncle Sam wanting his fair share, it makes sense to me... However, sometimes I like to leave a little more under the table sort of speak if they have made my time there more enjoyable...
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