Household employment taxes are complicated.
We make them simple.
We figure out what you owe
Federal, state, Social Security, Medicare — calculated automatically every pay period.
We keep you compliant
Quarterly reminders, accurate withholding, W-2s ready before the January deadline.
We handle the paperwork
Pay stubs, Schedule H, W-2s — generated for you. You just review and approve.
Who do you employ at home?
The tax rules are the same for all household employees. Pick yours and we'll walk you through it.
Nanny
If you pay your nanny $3,000 or more this year, you owe Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment taxes. Most families start here.
Housekeeper
Yes, even if they clean other homes too. Your house cleaner is a W-2 employee, not a 1099 contractor.
Read the guideSenior Caregiver
A home aide or companion counts as a household employee — and you might be able to deduct their wages as a medical expense.
Read the guideFamily Member
Paying a parent or sibling to help out? Some family members are exempt from certain taxes, like your own child under 21.
Read the guideOther
Cooks, personal assistants, gardeners — if you pay them $3,000+ a year to work in your home, the same tax rules apply.
Read the guideNot sure? The tax calculator works no matter who you employ.
Common questions from household employers
If you pay someone above the annual threshold ($3,000 for 2026) to work in your home—a nanny, housekeeper, senior caregiver, or other domestic worker—you're a household employer. That means you're responsible for withholding and paying employment taxes.