Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Nikki Turino says exempting tips from income tax would help her provide for family
Loading...
Summary
Nikki Turino, who described herself as a Florida resident and gig delivery worker, testified in favor of exempting tips from income tax, saying increased take-home pay and flexible gig work help her manage a permanent disability and support her 17-year-old daughter.
Nikki Turino told a hearing she supports a proposal to exempt tips from income tax, saying the change would allow her to keep more of what she earns and make a meaningful difference for her family.
"No tax on tip recognizes the hard work of people like me," Turino said. She described moving to Florida from Chicago in the 1990s and recalled working in healthcare and the service industry before a 2020 surgery left her with a permanent disability.
Turino said she began "dashing" in December to gain the schedule flexibility she needs. "On days when my health isn't cooperating, I can simply turn off the app and rest," she said, adding that the ability to choose hours is "everything for me and my family." She also said she has not filed her taxes for the year (she did not specify which year) and that keeping more tipped income would help pay for her 17-year-old daughter's college expenses.
Turino framed tips as essential income rather than an occasional bonus and argued that exempting tips from tax would provide fairness and vital support to workers whose livelihoods depend on them. "Those serving will go directly toward helping my 17 year old daughter who's preparing to start college," she said.
Her testimony focused on the lived-financial impact of taxation on tipped workers and emphasized flexibility for workers with disabilities. The transcript does not record a formal vote or other official action on the proposal during this session.
