$20 vs $100: U.S. Tipping Movers Etiquette and Tax Rules

Tipping movers is customary in the United States but never mandatory. The safest approach is a flat per-mover amount, not a percentage of your invoice, handed to the crew in cash when they finish their work. On a long-distance move, that means tipping the loading crew and the delivery crew separately, since they’re often different people entirely.

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TL;DR:

• Tipping is best done with flat per-mover amounts rather than percentages, especially on short or high-cost moves, to fairly reward labor.
• Tips should be given at the end of each work leg, directly to the crew members who performed the lifting, often in cash to ensure proper receipt.
• Additional charges like multiple flights of stairs or extreme weather conditions justify higher tips, while careless handling or damage can justify tipping less or not at all.
• It’s essential to request and clarify tipping policies before move day, and keep a detailed record for tax purposes, as tips are taxable income.
• Non-monetary gestures like providing water or snacks are appreciated but do not replace the need for fair cash tips reflecting the crew’s effort.

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