Restaurants & Hospitality
Tax advisory for restaurant operators, hotel owners, and hospitality businesses. FICA tip credits, multi-location compliance, cost segregation, and franchise tax — handled by specialists.
Tax strategy built for slim margins and big ambitions.
The restaurant and hospitality industry has unique tax opportunities — FICA tip credits, equipment accelerations, WOTC — that significantly improve economics for operators who know how to claim them. We do.
From single-location independents to multi-concept hospitality groups, we provide the tax expertise that helps restaurant businesses maximize cash flow and build long-term value.
How we serve restaurant & hospitality businesses
Industry-specific tax services for F&B operators and hospitality companies.
FICA Tip Credit Optimization
Maximize the employer FICA tip credit (Section 45B) available on tipped wages. We ensure proper tracking, documentation, and filing to capture every dollar of this valuable credit.
Multi-Location Tax Management
Manage tax compliance across multiple restaurant locations, including consolidated group returns, multi-state income allocation, and coordinated state sales tax filings.
Cost Segregation for Buildouts
Accelerate depreciation on restaurant buildouts and kitchen equipment through cost segregation. Reclassify components to shorter lives and maximize bonus depreciation.
Franchise Tax Planning
Navigate the unique tax treatment of franchise fees, royalties, and advertising fund contributions. Structure franchise ownership for optimal individual and multi-unit economics.
Employee Benefit Optimization
Design tax-efficient employee benefit programs for restaurant staff — health plans, retirement contributions, and tip-sharing arrangements that minimize employer tax cost.
Food & Beverage Entity Structure
Structure ownership of restaurant groups, management companies, and real estate for maximum tax efficiency and liability protection across your portfolio of concepts.
Get expert hospitality tax advisory — from first location to multi-concept group.
Get StartedExplore our tax services
Built for operators who run tight ships.
Restaurant success requires controlling every cost. Tax strategy is no different — we identify every credit, accelerate every deduction, and structure every entity to maximize the margin you keep on every dollar you earn.
Capture every credit available to your operation.
Restaurants have access to a range of valuable tax credits that most operators under-utilize. Our systematic approach to credit identification and documentation ensures you claim every dollar available under current law.
FICA Tip Credit Maximization
Implement tip tracking systems and documentation to capture the full Section 45B employer credit on all tipped employee wages.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit
Screen new hires for WOTC eligibility and handle all certification filings to claim up to $9,600 per qualifying employee.
Energy Efficiency Credits
Identify and claim Section 179D deductions and applicable energy efficiency credits for qualifying restaurant equipment and buildouts.
Depreciation Acceleration
Combine cost segregation with bonus depreciation to create maximum first-year deductions on new locations and buildout investments.
Why restaurant operators choose Jaguar Tax
Industry-Specific Credit Expertise
Restaurants have access to several valuable tax credits — FICA tips, WOTC, energy efficiency — that many owners miss. We identify and claim every credit you're entitled to.
Cash Flow Sensitivity
Restaurants operate on thin margins. We implement tax strategies that improve cash flow — accelerating deductions and deferring tax payments to keep working capital in your business.
Multi-Unit Growth Support
As you expand from one to many locations, tax complexity multiplies. We build scalable structures that accommodate growth without creating compliance bottlenecks.
Inventory & COGS Management
Food and beverage inventory accounting directly impacts your taxable income. We implement proper methods and conduct year-end valuations to optimize your COGS deduction.
"Jaguar Tax found over $180K in FICA tip credits and WOTC credits we weren't claiming across our three restaurants. That's money that goes directly to our bottom line every year going forward."
Restaurant Tax Questions
Common questions from restaurant operators and hospitality business owners.
The Section 45B credit allows employers to claim a credit equal to the employer FICA taxes paid on tips above $5.15/hour (even if the actual minimum wage is higher). For restaurants with significant tip income, this credit can amount to $1,000-3,000 per tipped employee annually. Proper tip tracking and documentation are required to claim the credit.