Restaurant staff discussing FICA
Updated for 2026 Tax Regulations

The Smartest Way to
Claim Your FICA Credit.

Don't settle for a generalist. TallyHelper uses data to match you with the specific FICA specialist best suited to maximize your refund and defend it.

Start Free Prequalification
Restaurants Bars & Nightclubs Hotels & Resorts Coffee Shops Breweries Salons (OBBBA) Barber Shops Restaurants Bars & Nightclubs Hotels & Resorts Coffee Shops Breweries Salons (OBBBA) Barber Shops

How TallyHelper Works

1

Check Eligibility

Answer 5 simple questions about your business size, industry, and payroll. We verify if you qualify instantly.

2

We Match The Expert

Our algorithm pairs you with the specific firm best suited for your industry and volume. No more guessing.

Secure Your Credit

The partner calculates your refund, files the IRS paperwork, and provides the audit defense. You get paid.

We Curate the Market. You Get the Results.

We are not an accounting firm. We are a marketplace that connects you with vetted, high-performance FICA specialists.

Vetted for Audit Defense

We only partner with firms that offer contractual Audit Defense. If the IRS knocks, your matched specialist answers the door—not you.

Legal Protection compliance checks
Zero Risk

No Upfront Fees

Our partners work on contingency. They calculate your credit for free. They only get paid a percentage when you get paid.

Payroll Integration
Tech Enabled

Payroll Integration

Don't manually send spreadsheets. We match you with providers who integrate directly with Toast, ADP, Square, and Gusto.

Get Your Refund Advanced

Waiting on the IRS can take months. Select partners in our network offer "Refund Advance" options so you get cash flow immediately.

See if you qualify →
Let's Get Started

Do You Qualify?

If you check these three boxes, there is a 95% chance you are owed money.

Food/Bev/Beauty

You serve food/drinks or operate a salon/barber shop.

Tipped Employees

You have W-2 employees who report tips.

Paid Payroll Tax

You paid Social Security/Medicare taxes in the last 3 years.

Specialist Meeting

Match Me With a Specialist

Fill out our 60-second questionnaire. We will introduce you to the best accounting partner for your specific situation.

Find My Refund

Frequently Asked Questions

Does TallyHelper charge a fee? +
No. TallyHelper is a free matching service for business owners. If you choose to work with one of our partners, they typically work on a contingency basis (meaning they take a small percentage of the refund they secure for you). If you get no refund, you pay nothing.
How much money can I get back? +
It depends on your payroll and tips reported. The credit is essentially a refund of the Social Security taxes (6.2%) you paid on employee tips. For many restaurants, this amounts to tens of thousands of dollars per location, per year.
Does this trigger an audit? +
Claiming a tax credit you are legally entitled to does not inherently trigger an audit. However, compliance is key. That is why TallyHelper only matches you with partners who include Audit Defense and legal protection in their service.
Can I claim for past years? +
Yes. The statute of limitations typically allows you to amend returns and claim credits for up to 3 years back. Our partners will review your past payroll data to uncover any retroactive refunds you are owed.
I already filed my taxes. Is it too late? +
It is not too late. The FICA Tip Credit is claimed on Form 8846. If you missed it on your original filing, our specialists can file an amended return (Form 941-X) to reclaim that money for you.
My CPA says I don't qualify. Why check here? +
Generalist CPAs are excellent at income tax, but often miss niche credits like FICA due to the complexity of the calculation (especially regarding the "minimum wage" threshold). Our partners specialize exclusively in this credit and use technology to find what others miss.
Is this the same as the ERC? +
No. The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) was a temporary pandemic relief program. The FICA Tip Credit (IRC §45B) is a permanent part of the US Tax Code that has existed since 1993. It is a stable, long-term tax strategy, not a temporary bailout.