HomePay is one of the oldest names in nanny payroll. Owned by Care.com, they've been helping families handle household employment taxes since 2006.
But at $75/month plus extra fees, are they worth it in 2026?
What Is HomePay?
HomePay (formerly Breedlove) is a full-service nanny payroll company. "Full-service" means they don't just calculate your taxes—they file them for you.
What's included:
- Payroll processing and tax calculations
- Quarterly tax filings (they do it)
- W-2 and Schedule H preparation (extra $100)
- Phone support
- State and federal compliance
The key difference from DIY options: HomePay actually submits your tax filings to the IRS and state agencies on your behalf.
How Much Does HomePay Cost in 2026?
This is the question most families ask first—and the answer is more than just the monthly fee.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly service fee | $75 |
| Year-end document fee (W-2 + Schedule H) | $100 |
| Direct deposit | Included |
| First-year total | ~$1,000 |
| Ongoing annual total | ~$1,000 |
That's roughly $83/month all-in.
What does that $1,000 actually get you?
The main thing you're paying for is filing. HomePay submits your quarterly tax forms and year-end documents to the IRS and state agencies. If you did this yourself, it takes about 15-20 minutes per quarter using the forms HomePay (or any payroll tool) generates for you.
So the real question is: is someone else clicking "submit" worth $784/year? For most families, probably not.
What HomePay Does Well
They handle the filing. If the idea of submitting forms to the IRS terrifies you, HomePay removes that step. They file your quarterly taxes and year-end documents on your behalf.
Established reputation. They've been around since 2006 and process thousands of households. They know what they're doing.
Phone support. You can call and talk to a human. For some families, that peace of mind is worth paying extra.
Care.com integration. If you found your nanny through Care.com, the integration is seamless.
Where HomePay Falls Short
The price. At $1,000/year, HomePay is the most expensive nanny payroll option on the market. That's nearly $84/month for a service most families use to pay one employee.
Year-end fee. That extra $100 for W-2 and Schedule H feels like a gotcha. These documents should be included in a $75/month service.
No free tier. There's no way to try HomePay or track payments without committing to the $75/month plan.
Dated interface. The platform works, but it hasn't been modernized. Expect a 2010s-era web experience.
HomePay vs. NannyKeeper: Full Comparison
How HomePay stacks up against NannyKeeper:
| Feature | HomePay | NannyKeeper |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $75 | $10 (Starter) / $18 (Plus) |
| Year-end fee | +$100 | Included |
| Annual total (Starter) | ~$1,000 | $120 |
| Annual total (Plus) | ~$1,000 | $216 |
| Direct deposit | Included | $6/transfer (Plus) / $8/transfer (Starter) |
| Email deadline reminders | Yes | Yes |
| Free payment tracking | No | Yes—free forever |
| Files taxes for you | Yes | No (you file—takes 15 min/quarter) |
| W-2 generation | +$100 | Included |
| Schedule H generation | +$100 | Included |
| All 50 states | Yes | Yes |
| Employee W-4 self-service | Unknown | Yes (Plus) |
| Phone support | Yes | Email support |
The main tradeoff: HomePay files your taxes for you. NannyKeeper calculates everything, generates the forms, and you submit them yourself (which takes about 15 minutes per quarter on the IRS and state websites).
The savings: NannyKeeper's subscription is $784-$880/year cheaper than HomePay. Direct deposit is billed per transfer ($6-$8), so total savings depend on how often you use it—but even with weekly direct deposit, you come out ahead.
A real example
Say you pay your nanny $600/week in California. Use our nanny tax calculator to see the breakdown, but here's the rough picture:
| HomePay | NannyKeeper (Starter) | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual payroll service | $900 | $120 |
| Year-end documents | $100 | $0 (included) |
| Direct deposit | $0 (included) | $416 ($8 × 52 weeks) |
| Total cost | ~$1,000 | ~$536 |
| You save | ~$464/year |
The only difference? You spend about 15 minutes per quarter filing forms yourself. NannyKeeper tells you exactly what to file, where to file it, and reminds you before each deadline.
Who Should Use HomePay?
HomePay makes sense if:
- You truly cannot handle any tax paperwork yourself
- You have a complex situation (multiple employees in different states)
- The peace of mind is worth $1,000/year to you
- Your employer reimburses household employment services
Who Should Skip HomePay?
You probably don't need HomePay if:
- You're comfortable filing forms online (it's easier than it sounds)
- You're budget-conscious—even with direct deposit fees, NannyKeeper saves you hundreds per year
- You want free payment tracking without a monthly commitment
- You don't want surprise year-end fees
Not sure where you stand? Check your state's specific requirements or try our free calculator to see what you'd owe.
So Is HomePay Worth It?
HomePay is a legitimate service with a solid track record. If you genuinely need someone else to submit your tax forms, they'll do it reliably.
But for most families, the math doesn't add up. You're paying hundreds more per year for someone to click "submit" on forms that take 15 minutes to file yourself.
With NannyKeeper, you can start tracking payments for free—no credit card, no commitment. If you decide you want full payroll, it's $10/month. Direct deposit is available at $6–$8/transfer.
HomePay is fine. It's just expensive for what you get.
Compare NannyKeeper vs HomePay in detail →
Compare all nanny payroll services →
Read our Poppins Payroll review →
FAQ
How much does HomePay cost per year?
HomePay costs approximately $1,000 per year: $75/month ($900/year) plus a $100 year-end fee for W-2 and Schedule H preparation. Direct deposit is included.
Is HomePay the same as Breedlove?
Yes. HomePay was formerly known as Breedlove & Associates. They rebranded after being acquired by Care.com. The service is the same.
Does HomePay file my taxes for me?
Yes—that's their main selling point. HomePay submits your quarterly tax forms and year-end documents (W-2, Schedule H) to the IRS and state agencies on your behalf. This is what you're paying the premium for.
What's the cheapest nanny payroll service?
NannyKeeper starts at $10/month with no year-end fees, making the annual cost $120 compared to HomePay's ~$1,000. The tradeoff is that NannyKeeper generates your forms but you file them yourself (about 15 minutes per quarter). Free payment tracking is available with no subscription at all.
Can I switch from HomePay to NannyKeeper mid-year?
Yes. You can switch nanny payroll services at any time. NannyKeeper will calculate your 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.
Is HomePay worth it in 2026?
For most families, no. You're paying ~$1,000/year primarily for someone to click "submit" on forms that take about 15 minutes to file yourself each quarter. Self-service alternatives like NannyKeeper generate the same forms, remind you of deadlines, and cost $120–$216/year. If you genuinely can't handle any tax paperwork, GTM Payroll offers the same full-service filing for $160/year less.
What are the best HomePay alternatives?
The top alternatives are GTM Payroll ($840/year, full-service like HomePay but cheaper), Poppins Payroll ($588/year, full-service), and NannyKeeper ($120–$216/year, self-service with deadline reminders). See our full comparison of all services.