Transparent Dining Math.
Zero Overcharges.
TipTruth is an independent consumer math initiative. We exist to protect diners from terminal dark patterns, post-tax tip inflation, and undisclosed restaurant surcharges — before the payment is processed.
Pre-Tax Integrity
Tips belong on the pre-tax subtotal of food and hospitality services rendered — never compounded on state/local taxes or post-bill administrative fees.
100% In-Browser Privacy
Zero server uploads. Your receipt amounts and dining history are processed entirely in your browser memory and never stored or tracked.
Zero POS Conflicts
Completely independent. We accept zero kickbacks, partnerships, or ad revenue from POS hardware vendors or restaurant chains.
The Problem: Tipping Creep & Terminal Math
Modern POS payment screens frequently default to tip calculations applied to the after-tax total rather than the pre-tax food subtotal. In high-tax jurisdictions (like Seattle at 10.35% or Chicago at 10.75%), this stealth math adds $2 to $5+ in phantom tips to an average dinner bill.
Compounding this issue are mandatory wellness fees, kitchen surcharges, and auto-gratuity clauses often buried in receipt fine print while presenting diners with blank secondary tip prompts. TipTruth provides diners with instant mathematical verification in 15 seconds.
How Our Verification Engine Works
- 1.Tax-Basis Audit: Reconciles the receipt's suggested percentages against the true subtotal, detecting whether tax was improperly compounded into the tip base.
- 2.Surcharge & Mandate Isolation: Flags municipal surcharges (such as SF Mandate, Chicago dining taxes, or restaurant wellness fees) so diners know what is already mandatory vs what goes directly to staff.
- 3.Double-Tipping Safeguard: Alerts diners when an 18–20% service charge or auto-gratuity has already been included, preventing unintended duplicate tipping.
Official Standards & Regulatory Benchmarks
Our calculations and etiquette guides are cross-referenced with federal statutes, labor standards, and state revenue guidance:
TipTruth Team
An open consumer advocacy project maintained by independent engineers and dining advocates.
Have a receipt anomaly, local tax update, or question? Reach out to us at hello@tiptruth.com.
Maintained for 2026 Dining Standards