What are housekeeper taxes?
Pay a house cleaner $3,000+ in a year? The IRS says you're a household employer, and you owe employment taxes.
$3,000 threshold (2026)
Once your total payments cross that line in a calendar year, employment taxes kick in. At $150 every two weeks, that's about 10 months.
Employee, not contractor
They work in your home, on your schedule. That makes them a W-2 employee, not a 1099 contractor — even if they clean other homes too.
Company vs. individual
Hired a cleaning company? They handle taxes. Hired a person directly? That's on you. See the full IRS test →
The housekeeper tax breakdown
What you'll owe and who pays what
| Tax | Rate | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|
| 6.2% | Both you and your housekeeper | |
| 1.45% | Both you and your housekeeper | |
| 6% (0.6% after credit) | You (employer only) | |
| Varies by state | You (employer only) | |
| Based on W-4 | Your housekeeper (optional withholding) | |
| State Income Tax | Varies by state | Your housekeeper (if applicable) |
How NannyKeeper handles housekeeper taxes
You log the hours, we handle the rest
Accurate Tax Calculations
Federal, state, Social Security, Medicare—calculated to the penny for your specific situation.
Professional Pay Stubs
Itemized pay stubs your employee can use for apartments, loans, or their own tax filing.
Never-Miss Reminders
Email alerts before every deadline. No more "I forgot it was due."
Built-In Direct Deposit
Funds transfer automatically on payday. No checks to write or bank runs.
We Handle Your EIN
Need an Employer ID Number? We apply with the IRS on your behalf—no forms to navigate yourself.
W-2s & Schedule H
Your W-2s and household employment form, ready to download when tax season arrives.
We handle payroll for all types of household employees
Not sure what you owe for your housekeeper?
Plug in what you pay your housekeeper and your state. Our free calculator breaks down your federal, state, and obligations in about 30 seconds.
Calculate What You OweFree. No signup required.
Not sure if your cleaner is an employee? See the IRS employee vs contractor test.
Common housekeeper tax questions
If you pay your house cleaner $3,000 or more in 2026 (the threshold changes yearly), you're legally required to pay employment taxes. This applies whether they come weekly, biweekly, or on any regular schedule. The key factor is the total amount you pay them in a calendar year, not how often they come.
Want the full step-by-step guide?
This page covers the basics. Our complete guide walks you through every step of setting up housekeeper payroll, from getting an EIN to filing your year-end taxes.
Read the complete housekeeper payroll guide