What would the IRS flag about how you've been paying your nanny?
Answer 6 questions. We'll run the same checks a tax professional would and show you the specific findings — with dollar exposure and how to fix each one.
Educational only. Not tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult a licensed tax professional for your specific situation.
How Washington household employer rules differ
Washington has no state income tax but does require participation in the Paid Family and Medical Leave program. The state has the highest minimum wage in the country.
State unemployment insurance (SUI). Washington requires household employers to register and pay state unemployment tax once you cross the federal $1,000/quarter threshold (some states use a lower threshold — California is $750/quarter, New York and DC are $500/quarter). New-employer rate range in Washington: 0.2% - 5.88%. Missing the registration is one of the most common audit findings — the simulator flags it as soon as your quarterly wages cross the threshold.
No state income tax withholding. Washingtonhas no state income tax (or exempts domestic-service wages from withholding), so there's nothing to deduct from your nanny's paycheck on the state side. You still owe the federal baseline (FICA, FUTA, Schedule H) and any SUI obligation.
Paid Family Leave (PFL). Washington runs a state-administered PFL program that applies to household employees. These are typically funded by employee withholding (some states add an employer contribution) and require separate registration and remittance from FICA/FUTA. The simulator flags missing setup or under-withholding.
Minimum wage. The minimum wage in Washington is $16.66/hour. If you paid below this rate, the simulator surfaces it as a Department of Labor exposure — separate from tax findings, and often more expensive (back wages plus liquidated damages).
Run the audit above to see exactly which Washington rules apply to your situation — each finding comes with dollar exposure and a concrete next step.
Washington household employer questions
The state-specific rules behind every finding.