FL minimum wage hits $12/hr this May — audit your tip credit math

Panko Alerts · May 12, 2026

Florida's minimum wage jumped to $12.00/hour effective January 1st, but most operators are still miscalculating tip credit on their May payroll. Your tipped employees must make at least $8.98/hour in direct wages (the $3.02 tip credit applies), and if tips don't bridge them to $12.00, you're on the hook for the difference. Pull last week's tip reports and verify every server/bartender hit that $12.00 floor after tip credit — FL DOL audits are spiking post-wage increase. Run the math now before your next pay period closes.

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Source: Panko Alerts