Employer is Taking Tips Given to Employees

I have a question or a problem I hope that someone can help me with. I work for a company that is in the tax preparation business and we have client that like to tip us. Well the company wanted us to start using a tip authorization form and to let I our tips come through the system so we did that. Well the company finally realized that we made a lot of money on tips but this year the company did not do as well as they normally do so they decided to hold our tips and keep giving us the run around about getting our money. they are quick to say we are not saying we are not going to give you your tips but it may not be until next year. I have bills that need to be paid now and we were all relying on these tips to make ends meet. At first they gave us little parts of it. Then they froze it and said that they could not afford to give it to us because they are trying to make sure everyone kept a job etc. I am greatful for a job and all but They will not even give us a small portion to keep from being on the streets without a roof over our heads. They even tried to say well we have to research and make sure the clients wanted to leave this amount of money to you but the catch is they have the signed form from the client with the amounts they gave and it was verified by someone dealing with accounts payable as they requested. I dont know what to do I feel like maybe they are trying to find a way not to give it to us. I am not sure what our rights are with this and we really need our money please help give me some answers.

Sorry I am from Mississippi

How much are we talking per employee, roughly?

My tips alone total was over 30k

30K is TIPS?

There is something very wrong with that picture. Tax preparation professionals would not normally be tipped at all, and tips of that magnitude suggests at a minimum that clients are being inappropriately solicited for tips.

Is this a franchise, or a local operation? Is there an employee manual? If so, does it contain a tipping policy? Are there any other formal tip policies?

Have to agree that something is hinky from the get go. Most professionals don't take tips as it could be seen as a conflict of interest, especially accountants, financial advisors and attorneys. $30k in tips for one person sounds like something illegal is going on or payment under the table to falsify information. And agree with Mr Knowitall about formal policies. If this is/was "under the table", I think you all have some real issues.

Sorry did not reread what I posted 3000 is what should have been there

Sorry for that misprint

Misprint

Still, 3K is a lot of tips for what is a non-tipped job.

Quote:

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Quoting Mr. Knowitall

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There is something very wrong with that picture. Tax preparation professionals would not normally be tipped at all, and tips of that magnitude suggests at a minimum that clients are being inappropriately solicited for tips.

Is this a franchise, or a local operation? Is there an employee manual? If so, does it contain a tipping policy? Are there any other formal tip policies?

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Its not that unusual for tax professionals to get the occasional tip...however, its pretty occasional. In our office it generally happens when someone is extra thrilled about the help we have given them to resolve a problem or fix an error made by someone else.

However, even the corrected amount of $3000.00 that the OP mentioned is high.