Tax and tipping at restaurants in five states: what the check will say

Menu prices in the United States leave out tax, and tax at a restaurant varies from place to place. In the five states in this guide, you will see a different set of lines on the check, and you will meet customs, such as BYOB in Philadelphia, that change what you pay. Here is what to expect and how to work out the total before you order.

How much tax will be added to the check?

In each state, restaurant food and drink are taxed, and the rate depends on where you eat.

1. Utah: the regular sales tax on prepared food, plus a 1 percent county restaurant tax.
2. Pennsylvania: the 6 percent state sales tax, plus 1 percent in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) for 7 percent and 2 percent in Philadelphia for 8 percent.
3. Connecticut: a meals rate of 7.35 percent, raised from 6.35 percent in 2019.
4. North Carolina: state and county sales tax, plus a local prepared food and beverage tax in some counties, including Wake County (Raleigh) and Mecklenburg County (Charlotte).
5. Georgia: state and local sales tax. Atlanta's rate depends on the county, because the city spans Fulton and DeKalb, so read the tax line on the check.

The tax is always a separate line on the check.

How much should you tip?

The custom across all five states is 18 to 20 percent of the pre-tax or post-tax total for table service, and more for exceptional service or large parties. Many people just double the tax line in a place with an 8 percent rate, which gives about 16 percent, and add a bit. In a casual restaurant with a counter, a dollar or two or a tip jar is common. For delivery, about 15 to 20 percent, with a few dollars as a minimum. Our US-wide guide to tipping explains the details.

Why is the tip so important?

In Utah, North Carolina and Georgia, the federal cash wage for tipped staff is 2.13 dollars an hour, and in Pennsylvania it is 2.83 dollars. In Connecticut, servers' cash wage is much higher. In every state, tips are a main source of a server's income, which is why the custom is firm. A server whose tips fall short of the state minimum must be topped up by the employer, but that does not change the custom.

What is a service charge, and is it a tip?

A service charge is a mandatory fee added by the restaurant, often for large parties, usually 18 to 20 percent. It is not the same as a voluntary tip, and in some states it is taxed. Read the check: if it says gratuity or service charge was included, you do not need to add more unless you want to reward excellent service. If you are unsure whether the charge goes to staff, you can ask. Some restaurants add a fee of a few percent to cover costs such as health insurance for staff; it is not a tip, and you may still tip.

What does BYOB mean for the check?

In Philadelphia, many restaurants have no liquor license, and you bring your own wine or beer. The check will not include alcohol, so it will be lower, and some places charge a corkage fee for opening and serving your bottle. Tip on the value of the meal and consider adding a bit extra for the service. Our guide to BYOB dining in Philadelphia covers the etiquette.

Will there be a fee for paying by card?

Some restaurants add a surcharge for paying by credit card, and where one applies it should be posted at the entrance and shown as a separate line. Ask before you order if you are unsure. You can usually avoid a credit card surcharge by paying with cash or a debit card.

What about alcohol and brunch?

Alcohol is taxed as part of the meal, and Utah and some other places have special rules about when and how it is served. In Georgia, Sunday brunch alcohol hours depend on the city or county. Ask when the bar opens. If you are splitting the check among friends, ask for separate checks when you order the first round, so one person does not pay for another's cocktails.

How do you work out the total in your head?

Take the menu total. Add the local tax, which the check shows as its own line, then add the tip as a share of the pre-tax amount. Philadelphia adds 8 percent and Connecticut 7.35 percent on meals, and the tip is on top of that. The check shows the exact total before you pay.

Whatever the state, the check is the best guide. It lists the tax as its own line, shows any service charge the restaurant has added, and often prints suggested tip amounts. Look for a service charge before you tip, particularly for large parties, so that you do not pay twice. Ask your server if anything on the check is unclear, and ask for separate checks when you order if you are splitting with friends. If you are paying by card, check the total before you sign, and keep the receipt until your statement arrives.

How do you tell whether a meal was worth the check?

Mosey is a food app for finding, rating and sharing places to eat. Once you know what the check will say, the better question is whether the dish earned it. Rate what you ordered, add a tag such as Great Value, and keep a list for each trip so the Philadelphia BYOB dinner and the Atlanta brunch are easy to compare later. Share the list by invite link with the friends you split checks with, and follow them to see what they rated.

More guides to read next:

• Athens, Georgia food guide: a college town with a music scene
• Decatur food guide: dining on the square, six miles from Atlanta
• Cambridge and Somerville food guide: eating by the square

More in the US food guides and the ranked lists of places.

Before you settle the check, get the Mosey app and rate the dish that earned the tip.