Enrolling in a Dependent Care FSA? You can set aside up to $7,500 pretax, but you need to pay your nanny on the books to claim it.See how →
Plain-English answers for household employers. No jargon, no judgment — just help.
A nanny holiday bonus is taxable wages. How Social Security, Medicare, FUTA and income tax apply in 2026, how to gross it up, and why the pay date matters.
What to withhold from each nanny paycheck in 2026: the employee's Social Security and Medicare share, optional income tax, state rules, and fixing a miss.
A nanny payroll compliance checklist: every legal duty a household employer has, what a payroll service can take on, and what stays yours when you hire one.
Which travel hours count as work, how overtime and live-in rules apply on a trip, how to cover travel costs without taxing them, and which state's taxes apply.
A household employee is someone who works in your home under your direction. The IRS definition, the $3,000 test for 2026, and what you owe in your first year.
A Washington enrolled agent on the three moments that make a family an employer: a nanny's injury, an unemployment claim, and a January W-2 request.
Is a nanny agency worth the cost? Former nanny and agency owner Danny Rosenthal on what great agencies do, how fees work, and what to ask before you hire.
How automatic nanny payroll works with NannyKeeper Autopilot: the first-run check, the heads-up email, what makes it hold a payday, and when it is a fit.
A Google search isn't a background check. Learn what FCRA-compliant nanny screening requires, what can legally show up on a report, and how to stay protected.
When your nanny lives in one state but works in another, a reciprocity agreement can let you skip the work state's income tax. See which states qualify.
Yes, paying your nanny in cash is legal. But the $3,000 threshold, FICA, and W-2 obligations don't change. What cash payments actually require in 2026.
Free babysitter tax calculator for 2026. See FICA (7.65%), the $3,000 threshold, and exactly what you and your babysitter each owe on any wage you pay.
How to fill out a 2026 W-2 for your nanny or household employee, box by box, with a worked example, Code TT for overtime, and the February 1, 2027 deadline.
New York household DBL/PFL coverage generally becomes mandatory at 20+ hours a week and 30+ days a year. Learn the 2026 carrier and payroll rules for families.
Hired a nanny in NJ? Temporary Disability (TDB) and Family Leave Insurance (FLI) come out of every paycheck. Here's the 2026 cost split and how it all works.
HomePay charges $59-$75/month, SurePayroll $39/month for one nanny. Both file your nanny taxes. We compare price, support, and who each one is built for.
Eight forms cover the household-employer year: W-4, I-9, SS-4, W-2, W-3, Schedule H, W-2c, and Form 843. Here's when you need each one and where to file.
Minnesota Paid Leave covers nannies in 2026. Learn the 0.88% standard rate, the conditional 0.66% small-employer rate, and the quarterly filing rules.
Washington Paid Leave covers nannies in 2026 at 1.13% of wages. Families under 50 employees pay zero employer share and only withhold 0.81% from the nanny.
How to cancel SurePayroll and switch to NannyKeeper. What to download before you leave, how to transfer YTD data mid-year, and save $288+/year.
The simplest way to track your nanny's hours: no app downloads, no spreadsheets. Free tool that works on any phone with automatic overtime calculation.
Manage household-employer payroll across multiple client families. A guide for CPAs, bookkeepers, and tax preparers handling nanny taxes at scale.
Step-by-step Python tutorial for calculating household employer taxes with the NannyKeeper API: all 50 states, 10 lines of code, free tier, no card.
NannyKeeper has a free public REST API and MCP server for calculating household employer taxes in all 50 states. No credit card, generous free tier.
Set up the NannyKeeper MCP server so Claude or ChatGPT can calculate household employer taxes across all 50 US states. Free, no card, 5 minutes.
HomePay Plus is $75/mo ($900/year). GTM EasyPay is $70/mo ($840/year). Side-by-side pricing, workers' comp, and a $100/year self-service option.
Twelve states plus DC have active paid family leave programs affecting household employees. See which programs apply, contribution rates, and employer costs.
A step-by-step guide to paying your nanny on the books. Get an EIN, set up withholding, pay quarterly taxes, and file year-end forms, all in plain English.
Nanny payroll costs $10–$75/month depending on the service, plus 9–12% in employer taxes. Here's the full cost breakdown with a free calculator.
HomePay Plus is $75/mo ($900/yr), Poppins is $49/mo ($588/yr). Both file your nanny taxes. We compare pricing, features, and a $10/mo alternative.
Step-by-step guide to canceling HomePay ($75/mo Plus) and switching to NannyKeeper ($10/mo). Save $780/year on nanny payroll with a smooth transition.
Going on maternity leave? Your nanny tax obligations don't pause. What happens to payroll, the dependent care credit, and taxes across 4 scenarios.
When you move to a new state mid-year, your nanny taxes change. Here's the exact timeline for state registration, W-2 splits, and quarterly filings.
Workers' comp for household employers: which 20 states require it for a nanny, the rule in each state, where to get coverage, and what happens without it.
Your nanny gave notice or left unexpectedly. Here's what to handle and when each is due: final paycheck, accrued PTO, W-2, Schedule H, and state notifications.
Hiring a nanny just for the summer? You may still owe taxes. The 2026 threshold math, what to set up before day one, and how to wrap up when summer ends.
Ready to start paying your nanny legally? Here's a step-by-step guide to making the switch, including how to talk to your nanny and handle the pay adjustment.
Your nanny earns 1.5x pay after 40 hours per week, but live-in nannies may be exempt. Here's how federal and state overtime rules work for household employers.
Hiring a household manager, estate manager, or personal assistant? They're household employees. Here's the full tax breakdown for high-value domestic staff.
Hired a night nurse or newborn care specialist? At $250–400/night, you'll cross the $3,000 tax threshold in under two weeks. Here's exactly what you owe.
Can you pay your adult child to care for an aging parent? Yes, but normal employment taxes apply. Here's the full tax breakdown, plus Medicaid options.
Hired a postpartum doula? If they work in your home on a regular schedule, they're likely your employee, not a contractor. Here's how the IRS draws the line.
Realized your babysitter has been paid over $3,000 this year? A step-by-step action plan to get compliant, plus the tax credit that might cover your costs.
Can you pay your mom to babysit? Yes, and for most families her wages are exempt from Social Security, Medicare, and FUTA. The full rules, with 2026 numbers.
If you paid a home caregiver $3,000+ in 2026, you must issue a W-2 by February 1, 2027. A box-by-box walkthrough, plus what to do if you're already behind.
Families paying for elder care can claim medical expense deductions and the Dependent Care Credit. Who qualifies, how much you can save, and how to claim.
Which taxes apply when you hire a family member? A guide to spousal, child, and parent exemptions for household employment, with a full comparison matrix.
When you hire your parent to watch your kids, their wages are usually exempt from Social Security, Medicare, and FUTA. The one exception, with 2026 numbers.
Hiring a caregiver directly vs through an agency changes who handles taxes. How tax responsibility, cost, and flexibility compare for each option.
The IRS has clear rules for classifying house cleaners. Most regular cleaners are employees, not contractors. How to tell, with five real-life scenarios.
What does it actually cost to pay your housekeeper legally? We break down the real numbers: employer taxes, payroll fees, and credits that offset the cost.
State taxes for housekeepers vary wildly. See SUTA rates, income tax rules, and workers' comp requirements for CA, NY, TX, FL, and 8 other common states.
Your spouse can be your household employee with favorable tax treatment: no Social Security, no Medicare, no FUTA. How it works and what to file.
Hired a private tutor for your child? If they work in your home on your schedule, they may be your household employee. How to tell. And what taxes you'd owe.
Do you owe taxes for your babysitter? It depends on how often and how much you pay. Here's how to tell if yours is regular or occasional for tax purposes.
Your nanny filed for unemployment and you got a letter. Here's what happens next, how to respond, FUTA/SUTA basics, and what to do if you weren't paying taxes.
How common are nanny tax audits? What triggers them, how far back the IRS can look, what to do if it happens to you, and how to audit-proof your payroll.
Nest Payroll charges $42-69/month and pays your nanny by Venmo, Cash App or Zelle, not bank direct deposit. We review the real costs and a $10/mo alternative.
Paying your nanny cash under the table? Here's how families get caught, the real IRS penalties (up to 25%), and what it actually costs to get compliant.
SurePayroll's nanny plan is $39/month with one employee included. The real costs, filing reliability, support, and NannyKeeper at $10/mo.
Most families give their nanny a 3–5% annual raise. Here's how to pick the right amount based on experience, duties, and market, plus what it means for taxes.
What every nanny employment agreement should include: pay, schedule, time off, overtime, and tax details most templates miss. Free contract builder.
Live-in nanny rules differ from live-out: room and board is tax-free, overtime rules change, and the new overtime deduction doesn't apply. What to know.
Yes, but Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App don't replace payroll for your nanny or babysitter. Here's what you still owe in employment taxes, whichever app you use.
Just hired a nanny? Here's your complete step-by-step checklist, from getting an EIN to filing your first W-2 and Schedule H. No tax experience required.
No federal law requires nanny PTO, but most families offer 5–15 paid days per year. Here's how to create a fair policy and what your state may require.
Senior-caregiver payroll: the 2026 per-worker FICA threshold, separate FUTA/state tests, family exceptions, and setup steps.
A plain-language guide to nanny taxes from the nanny's perspective. What gets withheld from your paycheck, why it matters, and how it protects your future.
Your W-2 isn't just a tax form. It's proof of income, a retirement builder, and a safety net. Here's why every nanny should insist on getting one each year.
A practical, non-confrontational guide for nannies who want legal pay. Scripts, talking points, and advice for a conversation that benefits everyone.
We compared HomePay, GTM, SurePayroll, Poppins, Nest, Savvy Nanny, and NannyKeeper. Most plans cost $100 to $900 a year. The honest ranking and full breakdown.
GTM Payroll charges $70/month for full-service nanny payroll. We break down the real costs, what you get, and a self-service alternative starting at $10/mo.
Learn the 2026 per-worker FICA threshold, the separate FUTA and state tests, and how to run legal housekeeper payroll.
As a household employer you owe about 8-10% of your nanny's wages in taxes. The exact breakdown: Social Security, Medicare, FUTA, SUTA, and real numbers.
Federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr, but 20 states plus DC set a higher minimum that covers nannies. 2026 table for every state, with overtime and live-in rules.
The 'no tax on overtime' rule lets your nanny deduct up to $12,500 in overtime pay from federal taxes. Here's how it works, who qualifies, and what you report.
Paid your nanny under the table? See exactly what you owe (with real numbers), how IRS penalties are calculated, and a step-by-step plan to get compliant.
Hiring a nanny legally costs 9-12% above their hourly rate. The exact breakdown of taxes, insurance, and fees. Plus what penalties you risk if you don't.
Employed a nanny in 2026? W-2s are due February 1, 2027. Schedule H goes on your 1040 by April 15. Full checklist with deadlines, forms, and state filings.
Sharing a nanny? Each family is its own employer. How to split the rate, who files which W-2 and Schedule H, overtime, and how to run nanny share payroll.
Nanny wages aren't tax-deductible, but the Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCTC) returns up to $3,000. How to claim it and maximize your savings.
Complete guide to California nanny taxes: SDI, PFL, SUI, ETT, and state income tax withholding. Includes deadlines, registration steps, and real-world cost examples.
The complete New York nanny tax guide for 2026: state withholding, DBL and PFL coverage, workers comp, SUI, deadlines, registration steps, and cost examples.
Texas nanny tax guide: No state income tax means simpler payroll. Learn federal requirements, TWC unemployment, registration steps, and why Texas is one of the easiest states.
Not every babysitter triggers taxes. Learn the 2026 Social Security and Medicare threshold, the separate FUTA test, and what to do when either rule applies.
Your complete 2026 nanny tax calendar: quarterly payment dates, W-2 deadline (Feb 2), Schedule H (Apr 15), plus state deadlines for CA, NY, TX, and more.
Nanny taxes in 2026: 7.65% FICA, 0.6% FUTA on $7,000, and state SUTA. Walk through the federal math, with real-dollar examples at $20K, $40K, and $70K wages.
These common nanny payroll errors can lead to back taxes, penalties, and legal trouble. Here's what to avoid. And how to fix it if you've already made them.
IRS Schedule H step by step for 2026: Part I FICA, Part II FUTA, Part III totals. Worked examples for household employers + the most common filing errors.
HomePay charges $900/yr Plus ($75/mo) or $708/yr Essentials. Honest review of features, hidden fees, and how the $100/yr alternative compares (2026).
Poppins Payroll charges $49/month for nanny payroll with year-end docs included. We review the real costs, features, and a self-service alternative at $10/mo.
You owe nanny taxes once you pay a household employee $3,000 or more in a year (2026 threshold). How it works, what counts, and what happens when you cross it.
How to get an EIN as a household employer: when you need one, the free IRS online application step by step, what to write if it hasn't arrived yet, and more.
Nanny or au pair? The tax rules are completely different. With a nanny, you're the employer. With an au pair, it's a cultural exchange. Here's how each works.
What happens if you don't pay nanny taxes? Back taxes, penalties, and interest add up fast. The risks and exactly how to get back on track if you're behind.
How direct deposit works for household employees: ACH timing, state authorization rules, what your bank needs, common failures, and W-2 reporting.
What changed for nanny taxes in 2026? The threshold is now $3,000 (up from $2,800), plus new Social Security wage bases. Here's what it means for you.
Your Q1 2026 nanny tax checklist: January 15 estimated payment, February 2 W-2 deadline, April 15 quarterly taxes. State deadlines and penalty tips included.
Your December 2026 nanny tax checklist: confirm wages and withholding, plan the January 15 estimate, get W-2s out by February 1, 2027, and prep Schedule H.
New to nanny taxes? The $3,000 threshold, 7.65% FICA rate, quarterly deadlines, and W-2 filing: everything you need to know as a new employer, in plain English.
Can you pay a nanny as a contractor? Almost never. The IRS treats a nanny as a household employee, and misclassifying them can mean back taxes and penalties.
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