Understanding Your Role When Hiring a Household Worker

When you hire someone to work in your home, whether it’s a nanny, housekeeper, or caregiver, someone must legally be the employer. In most cases, that someone is you.

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As we wrap up 2025, many families are taking stock of the year and planning ahead for the holiday season. For household employers, this is an ideal time to recognize the important role your nanny, senior caregiver, or other in-home employee plays in your daily life.

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Hiring a nanny is a deeply personal decision. Most families are genuinely committed to doing the right thing — from offering fair pay to creating a respectful working relationship. But when it comes to nanny payroll and employment law, even well-meaning employers can make expensive mistakes.

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If you're hiring a nanny, senior caregiver, housekeeper, or any other in-home employee, understanding your responsibilities as a household employer is key to staying compliant with federal employment laws. Two terms you’re likely to encounter in the hiring process are Form I-9 and E-Verify.

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Whether you're employing a nanny, senior caregiver, or housekeeper, understanding when your employee is on the clock—and legally entitled to be paid—is an essential part of running a compliant household payroll.

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A new federal tax law passed this summer, and it includes a provision that could include tax savings for household employees—but only if you know the detail. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) includes a “No Tax on Overtime” rule, and although it doesn't directly change household payroll practices, it does impact tax reporting and employee tax credits.

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The 2025 Open Enrollment Period for health insurance is nearly here — and it’s an important time to check your coverage.

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Hiring someone to work in your home—whether it’s a nanny caring for your children, a caregiver supporting an elderly parent, or a housekeeper helping manage your household—means stepping into the role of a household employer. Along with that role comes the responsibility of handling payroll correctly, including understanding what you’re allowed to deduct from your employee’s paycheck.

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Hiring a ROTA nanny — short for “rotational nanny” — can be an excellent solution for families needing consistent, around-the-clock childcare. These experienced professionals typically work extended shifts, such as 7 days on followed by 7 days off, providing continuity for children and structure for parents.

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When hiring a live-in nanny or other household employee, it’s important to understand how overtime laws apply—especially because the rules aren’t the same in every state. While federal law offers a basic framework, many states add their own requirements, and these can impact how you structure your employee’s hours and pay.

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