Your work deserves
proper pay
When your employer uses NannyKeeper, you get pay stubs every pay period, a W-2 at year-end, direct deposit, and Social Security credits toward your retirement. No extra work on your part.
Share your personal link and earn $25 when they subscribe.
What you get when you're paid on the books
Legal pay protects you now and builds your future
Pay stubs every pay period
Clear breakdown of earnings, taxes withheld, and year-to-date totals. Real documentation for loans, rentals, and more.
W-2 at year-end
Generated automatically and emailed to you before January 31. No chasing your employer for paperwork.
Direct deposit
Paid directly to your bank account every pay period. No more waiting for checks or carrying cash.
Social Security credits
Every paycheck builds toward your retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Cash pay gives you none of this.
| Cash pay | With NannyKeeper | |
|---|---|---|
| Pay records | Cash with no records | Professional pay stubs |
| Tax documents | No W-2 at year-end | W-2 generated automatically |
| Unemployment | Not eligible if you lose your job | Eligible for unemployment benefits |
| Social Security | No credits toward retirement | Every paycheck builds retirement |
| Income proof | Can’t prove income for loans | Official pay stubs and W-2 |
Getting started takes minutes
Your employer handles setup. Here's what you do.
Start with a written contract
Build a free employment agreement covering pay, schedule, time off, and your state's requirements. Share it with your employer before day one.
Fill out your W-4
Your employer sends a secure link. Enter your name, address, SSN, and filing status. Takes about 3 minutes — no paper forms.
- 1Open the secure link
- 2Enter your tax info
- 3Submit — you're done
Track your hours
No app to download — just a link you bookmark on your phone. Clock in and out with a tap, or log hours at the end of the day.
Want to manage all your jobs in one place? Create a free nanny account
Know other families who employ a nanny?
Most families don't know they're supposed to handle nanny taxes. Help them get set up and earn $25 for each one.
Get Your Referral LinkFree to join. No limit on referrals.
Our resource center
Six free guides, written by people who run nanny payroll every day.
From finding your next family to making sure your paycheck is legal. No signup, no email gate, no upsell.
Find your next family
Show your work and get on families' radar.
Build a nanny profile families trust
Seven things that move a family from “interested” to “hired” — anchored on real payroll history.
Read guideNanny resume template + free download
Write a one-page resume that surfaces experience, certifications, and ages of kids you’ve cared for.
Read guideWhere to find nanny jobs in 2026
The four channels working nannies actually use, plus scripts for word of mouth and parent groups.
Read guideKnow what you're worth
Get paid right, on the books, from day one.
Getting paid legally as a nanny
W-2 vs 1099, the math behind your paycheck, and what to say when a family proposes cash.
Read guideNanny rates by state (2026)
Hourly pay ranges by metro and state, plus what live-in nannies typically earn on top of room and board.
Read guideFirst-day checklist for new nannies
Nail down W-4, contract, schedule, payment, and emergency basics before you start.
Read guideNannies on NannyKeeper
Public profiles backed by real payroll history — not self-written resumes.
Sonja R.Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Violeta CoronelKirkland, WA
Daniella S.North Miami, FL
Maya G.Sparks, NV
Emmy K.Seattle, WA
Carla N.Syracuse, NYAre you a nanny? Build a profile families trust
Questions nannies ask us
Does this cost me anything?
No. Your employer pays for NannyKeeper. There is no cost to you. You simply receive proper pay stubs, a W-2, and all the benefits of being paid legally.
Will I owe more in taxes?
You already owe taxes on your earnings, whether or not they’re withheld. Being paid on the books means 7.65% (Social Security + Medicare) is withheld from each paycheck, plus federal and state income tax based on your W-4. The total doesn’t change — it’s just spread across paychecks instead of hitting you in April.
What if my employer doesn’t want to do this?
Many families don’t realize they’re required to pay nanny taxes once wages exceed $3,000/year. It’s not optional — the IRS considers you a household employee. Share our plain-English guide with them. Share the nanny tax guide→
How do I get my W-2?
Your W-2 is generated automatically through NannyKeeper and emailed to you before January 31 each year. You can also request a copy from your employer at any time.
What are Social Security credits?
Social Security credits determine your eligibility for retirement benefits, disability insurance, and survivor benefits. You need 40 credits (roughly 10 years of work) to qualify. Every legally paid paycheck helps you earn them.
How does the referral program work?
When you refer an employer and they subscribe to a paid plan, you earn $25. No limit on how many families you can refer.
Where this information comes from
Every statistic and rule on this page traces back to a primary, government, or industry source. Numbers cited above correspond to the bracketed footnotes.
- 1IRS Publication 926 (2026) — Household Employer's Tax Guide
From section: Do You Have a Household Employee?
"You have a household employee if you hired someone to do household work and that worker is your employee. The worker is your employee if you can control not only what work is done, but how it is done."
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p926
- 2IRS Publication 926 (2026) — Household Employer's Tax Guide
From section: Social Security and Medicare Wages
"If you pay your household employee cash wages of $3,000 or more in 2026, all cash wages you pay to that employee in 2026 (regardless of when the wages were earned) up to $184,500 are social security wages and all cash wages are Medicare wages."
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p926
- 3Social Security Administration — Social Security Credits
From section: How Credits Are Earned
"You must earn at least 40 Social Security credits to be eligible for Social Security benefits. You earn credits when you work and pay Social Security taxes. […] In 2026, you earn one Social Security and Medicare credit for every $1,890 in covered earnings each year. You must earn $7,560 to get the maximum four credits for the year."
https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/credits.html
Editorial process. This page is maintained by the NannyKeeper editorial team. Tax rules are reviewed against current IRS publications when those are updated (typically once per year, in early Q1) and after every meaningful change to federal household-employment law. Last reviewed: May 26, 2026.
Found something out of date? Email editorial@nannykeeper.com and we'll fix it.