Updated 22 December 2020
Every year HomeWork Solutions prepares a "what's new or changed" roundup of household employment tax laws and benefit information.
The IRS annually reviews, and adjusts as necessary, the wage payment threshold that obligates a family to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes and issue employees W-2 forms. This threshold will increase to $2,300 for 2021.
Timeless holiday songs are once again playing on the radio, that festive spirit can be felt in the air and year end celebratory planning can be found everywhere … This is one of my favorite seasons of all. It is that special time of year when we take the time to appreciate the wonderful people in our lives, and take a moment to show our appreciation to those special people that make our everyday lives better. We all start to feel that holiday spirit this time of year!
Many families incorporate this spirit into their household employment relationships as well. If you have a nanny, senior caregiver or other household employee, now is the time to consider how you might demonstrate your appreciation to your employee ...
Topics: nanny paid time off, nanny bonus
Need a housekeeper, nanny, personal assistant, or estate manager to lend a helping hand in your home on a regular basis? Once you find the right person, you want to make sure that they stay employed with you for as long as possible. That means ensuring that everything is kept on the up and up – from communication, to a set payroll schedule, to tax withholdings. Hiring an in-home employee makes you a household employer. And you’ll need to be aware of what your legal responsibilities are.
Topics: elder care, household employer, calculate nanny payroll tax, 1099 v w-2, domestic employer legal responsibilities, nanny tax compliance, household payroll, caregiver
Mom is struggling to remember to take her medications on time. She is having difficulty cooking and you are noticing a decline in hygiene. Maybe she is a bit wobbly on her feet as she continues to age, putting her at greater risk for a fall. These things can be part of the aging process, but it is difficult to watch. When you want what is best for your aging parent, what do you do? In-home senior care is the answer for many families around the country. This allows your elderly loved ones to live in their own home, on their own terms. Here are some reasons why hiring a senior caregiver can help.
Topics: eldercare, home health workers, senior care, caregiver, senior home care, senior home caregiver, senior caregiver employment practices
When you first hire your nanny or caregiver, there are a lot of different action items that need to get set into motion. Defining wages, determining hours, setting up legal payroll and writing an employee contract are some of the primary things that need to be settled at the get-go. Investigating how to navigate tax breaks you might have when hiring an in-home employee is another big one. If you’re wondering if you can use your dependent care flexible spending account, here are some of the basic things you should know.
As your loved one starts to age, it is important to determine what type of care for them is best. Nursing homes or assisted living centers are not meant for everyone. Many seniors and their families want to be in the comfort of their own homes if possible. Getting dressed, managing medications, cooking, and cleaning the home can get harder and harder and for scenarios like this, hiring an in-home caregiver is a great option. If you are considering finding an adult caregiver to work in your loved one’s home, here are some benefits.
Topics: senior caregivers, aging in place, eldercare, caregiver, Hiring Elder care, senior home care, senior home caregiver, agency, COVID-19
You have just welcomed a child into your family and amid all of the sleepless nights and new routines, joy and love abound. You are in awe of your precious baby and want only the best for your little one. Heading back to work once maternity or paternity leave is over means you will need a childcare plan in place.
Topics: nanny communication, aging parents, nanny agency, hiring a nanny, nanny employee, child care
Around the country, the beginning of the school year is starting out differently. Distance learning is the new norm for many states and counties and that means kids and parents are juggling a lot. But there is good news! There are options. The first one: parents can utilize the services of a nanny or a learning pod to help provide the support and quality education that kids deserve this year. Here’s how.
Topics: nanny share, household employee, household employer, nanny agency, home health workers, senior home care, nanny sal, childcare, employment compliance, private educator
Millions of Americans have lost work this year and are collecting unemployment benefits. However, many people are unaware that the money you are collecting from unemployment is considered income and is taxable. Federal income tax is always owed on unemployment benefits. To avoid a surprise tax bill during tax season, be sure to withhold taxes or pay estimated taxes ahead of time. Here are some helpful tips to ensure that you don’t have to face an unexpected hit on your benefits later. 
Topics: nanny agency, nanny tax, agency
If you have recently started a position with a new employer, you’re probably learning about the different benefits that you’ve been hired with. Many household employers who do not offer group health coverage for their employees help pay for medical expenses through a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA). When you negotiate this benefit with your new employer, it will help pay your health care costs for qualifying health insurance coverage. If you have never worked with a QSEHRA before, we’ll break down the important must-knows here.
