When tipping, do you calculate the percentage before or after taxes?

I'd especially like to hear from serving staff on this. If my bill is $60 before taxes, but $70 after taxes, do I calculate my tip based on the pre- or post-tax price? With a 20% tip, this would be the difference between $12 or $14. Any thoughts?When tipping, do you calculate the percentage before or after taxes?
I agree with Magick Kitty. A tip is a gratuity based on the goods and services purchased. It is illogical that I should tip on what I pay to the government of Pennsylvania just because restaurant meals are subject to sales taxes.



In Pennsylvania, the rate of tax is 6%, but in Quebec it is 17%. No, I am not going to give anybody a windfall because the government taxes restaurant meals. And, quite frankly, my dear, I am not getting better service in states or provinces where the sales tax is higher.



It used to be a "rule of thumb" that people tip 15% on restaurant meals, and a higher percentage, 20% or more, if service is exceptional. Just because you make less than minimum wage is not sufficient for me to tip 20% for mediocre service.
I always tip the total amount.When tipping, do you calculate the percentage before or after taxes?
before taxes
Calculate the tip AFTER taxes. It should be on the total of the bill. And if you paid with a gift card or coupon, you should tip on what the total of the bill WOULD have been without a discount.When tipping, do you calculate the percentage before or after taxes?
Maybe I am wrong but, I do not tip based on a percentage I tip based on the level of service that I recieved
my parents always tip before taxes. we're tipping on service and the cost of the food, not the taxes on it.
Tip based on the quality of service recieved, not a percentage of the bill.

The concept of tipping originated in France... the word TIPS is actually an acronym that means quite simply "To Insure Proper Service".

That being said... if you must tip a percentage (keeping in mind that waitstaff wage is only $2.13 per hour)

1.minimum tip of 10% for "service"

2.tip of 15% for "standard service"

3. tip of 20% for "exceptional service"

4. tip of 25% or better for "an unparalleled quality of service that you are not used to"



and if you are tipping "by percentage" it should be calculated from the after tax total.
I base the tip on the level of service and the bill before taxes. I do not tip the government, nor any collection agent that they may use (meaning using a business to collect taxes)



Most servers will say after taxes, because that way they get a higher tip!!
Before taxes! That is why there are separate lines for "subtotal" and "sales tax" - because tax is not part of the "sales price" and is not collected on gratuities...
After. After all, they have to pay taxes on their salary and tips.
I say before taxes what do you do in places and there are some where there is no tax on food. Tax is what is going to the government. I tip about 15% for average service and in my state tax is 7.5% i just double the tax and round up to the next dollar and that is my tip. I never do any calculations
You should tip the post tax price,but also tip by percentage based on how good the service was.
The difference is so small that the waiter should be too busy to notice.



And the responses that claim we should tip after tax because the tips are taxed make no sense. Everyone pays income tax, and sales tax and income tax have nothing to do with each other.
double or triple your tax and you will be fine
If the bill is $60 tip $6
before..but if it's not a big bill it won't make much difference.
Post tax. Your server is also paying tax on the tip.