Tennessee Nanny Tax Calculator
Estimate your total employer costs for hiring a nanny in Tennessee. Enter your nanny's pay below for a personalized tax breakdown.
Tennessee employer tax rates at a glance
Social Security
6.2%
employer share
Medicare
1.45%
employer share
FUTA
0.6%
on first $7,000
TN SUTA
0.1% - 10.0%
new employer rate range
Key facts for Tennessee household employers
- Minimum wage: $7.25/hour (federal) (compare nationwide)
- No state income tax — simpler payroll
- No state income tax on wages
- Uses federal minimum wage
Tennessee nanny tax FAQ
How does the calculator estimate Tennessee nanny taxes?
The calculator estimates the full employer cost for a household employee in Tennessee: federal FICA (15.3% combined, split between you and your employee), federal FUTA (0.6% effective on the first $7,000), and Tennessee SUTA (0.1% - 10.0%). Tennessee has no state income tax, disability, or PFL programs that affect household payroll, which keeps the calculation simpler than in many other states. Numbers update for tax year 2026 and reflect the 2026 FICA threshold of $3,000.
Does Tennessee require state income tax withholding from a nanny's paycheck?
Tennessee has no state income tax. There is nothing to withhold from your nanny's paycheck on the state side. You still owe federal FICA, FUTA, and Schedule H, plus Tennessee's unemployment insurance obligations.
What's the minimum hourly rate I can pay a nanny in Tennessee?
Tennessee uses the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour for household employees. Some local ordinances may set a higher floor — verify your city or county. FLSA overtime (1.5x for hours over 40 in a week) applies to most household employees, with a narrow exception for live-in nannies who are FLSA-exempt from overtime (but not from minimum wage).
Does Tennessee add disability or paid family leave premiums?
No. Tennessee does not require state disability insurance or paid family leave for household employees. Your obligations are the federal baseline (FICA, FUTA, Schedule H) plus Tennessee state unemployment insurance.
Why does my Tennessee nanny's net pay differ from the calculator total?
In Tennessee, the gross-to-net difference comes from federal FICA (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare = 7.65% withheld from the employee), any federal income tax your nanny chose to have withheld. Your share — the employer FICA match and FUTA + SUTA — sits on top of the gross, not subtracted from it. The calculator separates "employer cost" (your total outlay) from "employee net pay" (what lands in their bank account).
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Actual tax obligations may vary. Always verify current rates with your state's tax agency or consult a qualified tax professional.
Learn more
Tennessee Tax Guide
Full compliance requirements for TN household employers.
Nanny Cost by State
See how Tennessee compares to all 50 states for total employer costs.
Tennessee Nanny Contract
Free contract builder with TN-specific requirements.
Complete Tax Guide
Everything you need to know about nanny taxes.
NannyKeeper handles Tennessee taxes automatically
All TN tax calculations, documents, and deadline reminders—starting at $10/month.
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