Middle America's Worldview

Restaurant servers will lose their 18% gratuity tip from large groups, as of January 1, 2014. A change in tax policy will prevent restaurant workers from collection automatic gratuities. The 18% added gratuity on a group 8 or more will be automatically included in their payroll. This causes the worker to wait up to two weeks for that tip, as well as paying additional taxes on it. It also means minimum wage workers will get less money, while the federal government gets more. Read More

The Obamacare websites have come online in both English and Spanish. The hope is for most to trudge through the site, and sign up as individual or family coverage. Yet, if you still need help, Navigators are there to help. These Navigators have been warned to not leave tax returns on the fax machines. Navigators are trained to sit with people and help them “navigate” the exchange software to register, define options and sign up for coverage. They work out of community-based agencies and are paid through a federal grant. Within the education manual.. Continue Reading