Usually around this time of year we start getting worried phone calls from families confused by the household employee taxes or the "nanny taxes." We pulled together some more of the frequently asked questions our tax experts are getting in time for April 15th. 

Q. My domestic (elder caregiver, housekeeper, nanny) wants to be treated as a "contractor." Can I do that?

Topics: elder care, eldercare, household employee taxes, senior care, 1099 v w-2, senior home-care workers

Let’s face it: sitting your aging parents down to talk about their finances is about as comfortable as talking to them about sex (eons ago, they probably felt the same way you do right now!) But just as it was back then, the conversation- though difficult- is imperative to your future decision making.

Topics: elder care, aging in place, eldercare, senior care, hiring care for seniors, senior home care

Recently,  Dr. Judith L. London published a book of 54 stories detailing the challenging and sometimes heroic lives of caregivers of Alzheimer's sufferers. And it's no wonder Dr. London found it compelling to collect a these stories in one place:  in a study conducted by Stanford University and the Alzheimer's Association, more than 15 million people provide unpaid care for family members,  or even friends, who suffer from the disease.

Topics: elder care, Alzheimer's, senior care

The following is excerpted from the ABC Nanny Hiring Guide.

One of the first decisions you must make when considering a nanny for your family is whether you want a nanny who lives in or one that comes in daily. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of hiring a live-in nanny.

Topics: live-in nanny

Topics: household employee, worker misclassification, independent contractor, nanny tax, nanny taxes, 1099 v w-2

HomeWork Solutions is proud to announce the publication of the ABC Nanny Guide. Our own Kathleen Webb shares tips, tricks and lessons learned from 25 years of working in the nanny industry, both personally and professionally.

Topics: nanny

This article uses a factual scenario common to many nanny hires in order to help provide some guidance and clarification to families and nannies when negotiating nanny compensation.

After I had my first child and as my maternity leave days were coming to an end, I realized that I would need to hire a nanny to help me take care of my newborn.  I interviewed a few candidates and fell in love with Sarah; she seemed to really, genuinely care about my baby.  I felt confident with her; she was truly the best fit for my family.  Sarah was offered $500 a week.  She accepted my offer and was hired right away!

Topics: nanny tax

Our aging parents deal with physical and sometimes mental declines that challenge their ability to completely take care of themselves on their own.  They don’t like the idea of moving out of their homes to a senior care facility.  How will they safely age at home, in a safe and happy environment?

Topics: elder care, senior caregivers, caregiver background screening

Today’s smart phones are miniature computers on the go. Nannies and parents are constantly discovering new apps that help with care coordination, communication, and just plain saving time. Busy moms and nannies are constantly comparing apps and recommending their favorites to their friends.

Topics: nanny

Be specific and avoid misunderstanding

Think about the conflicts you encounter in everyday life, and you’ll recognize the role of details in smooth operations and peaceful negotiations.  This is the foundation of a senior home care work agreement.

Topics: elder care, senior caregivers, companionship services, senior home care