Best Nanny Payroll Services 2026: $100–$900/yr

You've hired a nanny. Now you need to handle payroll and taxes. The good news: there are services that make this easy. The bad news: they range from $100/year to over $1,000/year—and the expensive ones aren't always better.

We compared every major nanny payroll service in 2026 so you don't have to.

The Full Comparison Table

Every major nanny payroll service, side by side:

Pricing verified as of June 10, 2026. Visit each provider's website for current rates: HomePay, GTM, SurePayroll, Poppins, Nest, Gusto, Savvy Nanny, NannyKeeper. GTM and Poppins charge per-employee fees on top of base; HomePay and SurePayroll show base-tier prices for one employee.

The pattern is clear: core features (tax calculations, W-2s, Schedule H) are the same everywhere. You're paying more for filing service, phone support, or a brand name—not for better calculations.

What All These Services Actually Do

The IRS defines a household employer as anyone who pays $2,800 or more in cash wages to a single household employee in 2025 ($3,000 for 2026). Once you cross that threshold, Publication 926 is explicit:

"If you have a household employee, you may need to withhold and pay social security and Medicare taxes, pay federal unemployment tax, or both."

Every service on this list — full-service or self-service — calculates the same federal taxes and generates the same forms: Form W-2 filed with SSA, Schedule H attached to your 1040, and quarterly state unemployment and withholding returns. The differences are: (a) who clicks "submit" on those forms (you, or the service), (b) whether direct deposit is bundled, and (c) what hand-holding comes with it.

One thing no service changes: Schedule H rides along with your personal 1040 and is filed under your own Social Security number, so the IRS holds you responsible for the numbers regardless of who pressed submit. Full-service also runs on power of attorney — you authorize the provider over your federal and state tax accounts so it can file as your agent — and even that doesn't move the liability off you. We've seen what happens when it goes sideways: one family came to us after their previous full-service provider had run a grandparent as a regular household employee for years, missing a tax exemption and over-withholding the whole time, and they were the ones left to unwind it with the IRS. Full-service moves the clicking off your plate, not the responsibility. That's worth keeping in mind when you weigh whether the convenience is worth $500–$800 more a year.

Our Picks

Best for most families: NannyKeeper — $10/month gets you everything you need. You file the forms yourself (15 minutes/quarter), but we generate them, remind you of deadlines, and walk you through every step.

Best full-service: GTM Payroll — If you truly don't want to touch any forms, GTM HR Platinum ($1,524/year) adds a dedicated account manager, workers' comp placement, and SOC 1 certification. The base EasyPay tier ($840/year) is more comparable to HomePay Essentials.

Best budget full-service: Poppins Payroll — Full-service filing at $588/year for one employee (+$10/mo per additional). Less hand-holding than GTM, but materially cheaper.

1. NannyKeeper — Best Overall Value

Price: $10/month (Starter) or $18/month (Plus) | Compare →

NannyKeeper is a self-service nanny payroll platform built specifically for household employers. We calculate all federal and state taxes, generate every document you need (W-2, Schedule H, pay stubs), and send email reminders before every quarterly deadline.

What's included:

• Automatic tax calculations for all 50 states
• W-2, Schedule H, and pay stub generation
• Email deadline reminders before every quarter
• Direct deposit: $6/transfer (Plus) or $8/transfer (Starter)
• Employee W-4 self-service portal (Plus)
• Free forever tier for payment tracking only

What's not included:

• Tax filing (you submit the forms yourself—about 15 minutes per quarter)
• Phone support (email only)
• Workers' compensation placement

The tradeoff: You spend roughly an hour per year filing forms that NannyKeeper generates for you. In exchange, you save $300–$800/year compared to any other option.

Best for: Budget-conscious families who are comfortable clicking "submit" on a government website. Which, honestly, is most families.

Annual cost: $100 (Starter) or $180 (Plus) on annual billing

Try the free nanny tax calculator →

2. GTM Payroll — Best Full-Service

Price: $70/month | Full review → | Compare →

GTM is a full-service household payroll specialist based in New York. They've been doing this for 35 years (founded 1991) and handle payroll, quarterly filings, year-end documents, and workers' comp placement. GTM offers three tiers: EasyPay ($70/mo base), HR Platinum ($127/mo with a dedicated account manager), and Diamond ($227/mo for advanced HR).

What's included on EasyPay ($70/mo):

• All payroll processing and tax calculations
• Quarterly tax filings (they submit them)
• Year-end documents (W-2, W-3, Schedule H)
• Direct deposit
• Shared phone/email/chat support
• SOC 1 Type II certified security

Higher tiers add:

• Dedicated account manager (HR Platinum and Diamond)
• Workers' comp insurance placement (additional cost via partner broker)

What's not included (any tier):

• Free tier or trial
• Email deadline reminders (they file for you, so less relevant)
• Self-service option

The tradeoff: EasyPay starts at $840/year for one employee. To get a dedicated account manager, step up to HR Platinum ($1,524/year).

Best for: Families who want zero involvement in tax paperwork and don't mind paying for the convenience.

Annual cost: $840+ (EasyPay) or $1,524 (HR Platinum)

3. SurePayroll (by Paychex) — Best for Business Owners

Price: $45/month | Full review → | Compare →

SurePayroll is a full-service small business payroll service owned by Paychex. It wasn't designed specifically for household employers, but some families use it because Paychex is a trusted name and it handles tax filings on your behalf. Note: SurePayroll acquired NannyChex in 2022, so if you were a NannyChex customer, this is where your account went.

What's included:

• Payroll processing and tax calculations
• Tax filings (they file for you)
• W-2 and year-end documents
• Direct deposit
• Phone support
• Backed by Paychex infrastructure

What's not included:

• Household-specific guidance or terminology
• Email deadline reminders
• Free tier

The tradeoff: SurePayroll is full-service and reasonably priced, but the interface and terminology are designed for businesses with multiple employees—not a family paying one nanny. You'll see features you don't need and miss household-specific guidance.

Best for: Families who already use Paychex for a business and want to consolidate, or former NannyChex customers who stayed.

Annual cost: $540 ($45/month after the 2026 price increase from $39, all forms included; new customers get a free-months promo at signup — terms apply)

4. Poppins Payroll — Best Mid-Range

Price: $49/month | Full review → | Compare →

Poppins is a full-service nanny payroll company that positions itself as a friendlier alternative to the big names. They're household-specific, reasonably priced, and have a good reputation for customer support.

What's included:

• Payroll processing and tax calculations
• Tax filings (they file for you)
• W-2, Schedule H, and pay stubs
• Year-end documents included (no extra fee)
• Direct deposit
• Phone and email support

What's not included:

• Email deadline reminders
• Free tier

The tradeoff: Poppins is the most affordable full-service option—cheaper than HomePay and GTM, with the same core filing service. But it's still more expensive than self-service options like NannyKeeper.

Best for: Families who want full-service filing, phone support, and a household-focused service without paying HomePay prices.

For a deeper dive, read HomePay vs Poppins.

Annual cost: ~$588 (one employee) / ~$708 (two employees)

5. Nest Payroll — Best for Catch-Up Filing

Price: $42–$69/month | Full review →

Nest is a household-specific payroll service based in Palo Alto. Their standout feature is a catch-up service for families who've been paying under the table and need to get compliant. But there's one notable gap.

What's included:

• Payroll processing and tax calculations (all 50 states + DC)
• Quarterly tax filings (they file for you)
• W-2, W-3, Schedule H preparation and filing
• EIN and state registration help
• New hire reporting
• Concierge support (text/email)
• Catch-up service for back taxes ($42/mo + $149/year-end per tax year)

What's not included:

• Traditional direct deposit (Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle only)
• Free tier (14-day trial only)
• Employee self-service portal

The tradeoff: Nest is purpose-built for household employers and offers the best catch-up service on the market. But the lack of bank-to-bank direct deposit is a dealbreaker for some families.

Best for: Families who need help with back taxes, or who already pay via Venmo/Cash App and don't need traditional direct deposit.

Annual cost: ~$504 (1 employee) or ~$588 (2 employees)

6. Gusto — Best for Families Who Already Use It

Price: $49/month base + $6/month per employee | Learn more →

Gusto is a well-known small business payroll platform that now has a dedicated household employer page. It's full-service—they handle tax filings, direct deposit, and year-end documents. The interface is polished and modern, and if you've used Gusto for a business before, the experience will feel familiar.

What's included:

• Full payroll processing and tax calculations
• Tax filings (they file for you)
• W-2 and year-end documents
• Direct deposit
• Phone and email support
• Modern, well-designed interface

What's not included:

• Household-specific guidance or terminology
• Deadline reminders
• Free tier
• Back tax catch-up service

The tradeoff: Gusto is a great payroll product, but it's built for small businesses first. The HR tools, benefits administration, and team management features are overkill for a family with one nanny. And at ~$660/year, you're paying for that infrastructure whether you use it or not.

Best for: Families who already use Gusto for a business and want to keep everything in one place.

Annual cost: ~$624 (one employee)

7. Savvy Nanny Payroll Services — Best Boutique Option

Price: $39–$50/month (covers up to two employees) + $50 annual filing fee | Learn more →

Savvy Nanny is a smaller, household-specific payroll service that takes a more personal approach. They handle full-service payroll—tax calculations, filings, and year-end documents—with a focus on the nanny employer experience.

What's included:

• Full payroll processing and tax calculations
• Tax filings (they file for you)
• W-2 and year-end documents
• Direct deposit
• Dedicated support
• Household-specific service

What's not included:

• Published pricing (you need to contact them for a quote)
• Free tier
• Back tax catch-up service

The tradeoff: Savvy Nanny offers a more hands-on, personal experience than the bigger names. Pricing is $39/month on their current new-customer promotion (regular $50/month), covering up to two employees, plus a $50 annual filing fee — roughly $518–$650/year. One note: they moved from savvynanny.com to savvynannypayrollservices.com, so older links to them may dead-end.

Best for: Families who want a boutique, personal-touch payroll service and prefer working with a smaller operation.

Annual cost: Varies (contact for quote)

8. HomePay (Care.com) — Most Recognized Brand

Price: $59/month (Essentials) or $75/month (Plus) | Full review → | Compare →

HomePay (formerly Breedlove & Associates) is the most well-known name in nanny payroll, backed by Care.com. They offer full-service payroll—meaning they file your taxes for you—now with two pricing tiers.

What's included (Essentials — $59/mo):

• All payroll processing and tax calculations
• Quarterly tax filings (they submit them)
• Direct deposit
• Email deadline reminders
• Employee onboarding

Plus ($75/mo) adds:

• Dedicated phone support
• Tax ID applications
• Tax agency communications
• Free Care.com Premium membership

What's not included:

• Free tier

The tradeoff: HomePay's Plus plan at $900/year is the most expensive option on this list. Even the Essentials tier at $708/year is pricier than most. You're paying for the brand name, Care.com integration, and a long track record.

Best for: Families who found their nanny through Care.com and want seamless integration, or who are willing to pay for name recognition.

Thinking about leaving HomePay? See our switching guide.

Annual cost: $708 (Essentials) or $900 (Plus)

How to Choose: Decision Guide

Start here: Do you want someone else to file your taxes for you?

If yes, premium → GTM HR Platinum ($1,524/year) GTM HR Platinum is the best premium full-service option, adding a dedicated account manager, SOC 1 certification, and workers' comp placement. HomePay's Plus tier ($900/year) is cheaper but doesn't include workers' comp. GTM's entry EasyPay tier ($840/year) is more comparable to HomePay Essentials ($708/year).

If yes, budget → Poppins Payroll ($588/year) Poppins offers full-service filing at the lowest price point. Less hand-holding than GTM, but $252/year cheaper.

If no → NannyKeeper ($100–$180/year) Self-service payroll is easier than it sounds. NannyKeeper calculates everything, generates every form, sends deadline reminders, and walks you through filing. The actual filing takes about 15 minutes per quarter.

If you're not sure → Try NannyKeeper's free payment tracking tier. You can track payments at no cost, see what taxes you'd owe, and decide later if you want full payroll. No credit card required.

The real cost difference

Over 5 years, here's what each service costs for one employee:

That's $2,000–$3,600 saved over 5 years by choosing NannyKeeper over the full-service options. Enough for a family vacation.

What All Nanny Payroll Services Do the Same

Every service on this list handles the basics:

• Tax calculations — Federal (Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.45%, FUTA 0.6%) and state taxes computed automatically
• W-2 generation — Annual wage and tax statement for your employee
• Schedule H — The household employer tax form filed with your 1040
• All 50 states — Including states with special requirements (California, New York, New Jersey, etc.)
• Pay stubs — Records for every paycheck

The difference is in the extras: filing service, deadline reminders, direct deposit pricing, and how much you pay for the convenience.

What About DIY?

You can absolutely handle nanny payroll yourself without any service. This is what it looks like:

1. Calculate federal and state taxes manually (IRS Publication 926)
2. Submit quarterly estimated tax payments to IRS + your state
3. File Schedule H with your annual tax return
4. Generate W-2s and submit Copy A to SSA
5. Handle new hire reporting in your state

Estimated time: 2–4 hours per quarter if you're doing it right.

The risk: Mistakes in tax calculations can lead to IRS penalties. Using a calculator like NannyKeeper's free tool eliminates the math risk even if you handle everything else yourself.

Our recommendation: At $10/month, a payroll service pays for itself by saving you time and preventing calculation errors. But if you're a spreadsheet enthusiast, more power to you.

FAQ

What is the cheapest nanny payroll service?

NannyKeeper is the most affordable option at $10/month ($100/year on annual billing) with all core features included. Direct deposit is available at $6–$8/transfer. There's also a free forever tier for payment tracking only. The next cheapest is SurePayroll at $45/month ($540/year on regular pricing, all forms included).

Is it worth paying for full-service nanny payroll?

It depends on your comfort level. Full-service (GTM at $840/year or HomePay at $900/year for its Plus tier) means they file everything for you. Self-service (NannyKeeper at $100–$180/year) means you file the forms yourself—about 15 minutes per quarter. Worth knowing before you decide: because Schedule H is filed under your own SSN, full-service doesn't take the legal responsibility off you, and the accuracy guarantees these services offer reimburse a penalty only if the provider was at fault, never the tax you owe. For most families, self-service saves $600+/year for roughly an hour of work per year total, and you can see exactly what was calculated and paid.

Do I even need a nanny payroll service?

If you pay a household employee $3,000 or more in cash wages in 2026, you're legally required to withhold and pay employment taxes (IRS Publication 926). A payroll service automates the calculations and generates the required documents. You can do it yourself, but a service prevents costly mistakes.

What happened to NannyChex?

NannyChex was acquired by SurePayroll (Paychex) in 2022. The NannyChex brand and website no longer exist. If you were a NannyChex customer, your account was migrated to SurePayroll.

Can I switch nanny payroll services mid-year?

Yes. You can switch at any time. Your new service will calculate taxes going forward, and you'll receive a W-2 covering the full year at tax time. We recommend switching at the start of a quarter for the cleanest transition. Sign up for NannyKeeper →