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 a nonexempt nanny reaches $3,000 this year, Social Security and Medicare generally apply. Unemployment taxes use separate federal quarterly and state tests.
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, and gardeners can be household employees too. FICA, FUTA, family exceptions, and state rules each have their own tests.
Read the guideNot sure? The tax calculator works no matter who you employ.
Common questions from household employers
You are a household employer when a worker is your common-law employee; the $3,000 figure is the 2026 per-worker Social Security and Medicare threshold, not the classification test. FUTA can apply separately once aggregate household wages reach $1,000 in a calendar quarter, and family or state rules can change what is due.