Checkout totals may combine percentage fees, fixed charges, taxes, service charges and optional tips. The order and calculation base matter, so copy each line from the quote instead of applying one percentage to the headline price.
Classify every line
Separate mandatory fixed fees, mandatory percentage fees, tax, service charge and optional tip. Confirm whether the service charge is distributed to staff before deciding on any additional tip.
Use the stated calculation base
A tip may be calculated on pre-tax food, while a ticket fee may apply per item and an order fee once. Reproduce the merchant calculation rather than assuming every percentage uses the same base.
Compare the payable total
For alternatives, use the same quantity, delivery speed and optional choices. Keep refundable deposits separate from non-refundable fees so the immediate payment and final cost are both clear.
Worked example
Scroll the table horizontally on small screens to see every column.
| Food subtotal | Tax | Service charge | Extra tip | Payable total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 8 | 18 | 0 | 126 |
The example assumes the service charge is mandatory and no additional tip is chosen; local tax rules can differ.
Sources and checks
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/04/fighting-junk-fees ↗
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa/tips ↗
Examples are illustrative and can be checked with the linked tools. Read each tool’s assumptions before applying its result. How we verify methods.