Iowa Admin. Code r. 701—203.7(423) — Service charge and gratuity

When the purchase of any food, beverage or meal automatically and invariably results in the inclusion of a mandatory service charge to the total price for such food, beverage or meal, the amounts so included shall be subject to tax. The term “service charge” means either a fixed percentage of the total price of or a charge for food, a beverage or a meal. The mandatory service charge shall be considered: (1) a required part of a transaction arising from a taxable sale and a contractual obligation of a purchaser to pay to a vendor a charge arising directly from and as a condition of the making of the sale and (2) a fixed labor cost included in the price for food, a beverage or a meal even though such charge is separately stated from the charge for the food, beverage or meal. When a gratuity is voluntarily given for food, a beverage or a meal, it shall be considered a tip and not subject to tax.