If you have recently hired a new employee to work in your home, it’s important to get their payroll details lined up immediately. Deciding to pay them partially off the books to save on taxes, but partially on record to contribute to their work history, is illegal and you’ll only create a headache for yourself later when the full picture comes to light. Here, we’ll explain why.

Adele’s elderly mother expressed her desire to stay in her home independently rather than move into assisted living.  Adele did her research to find a qualified and compassionate caregiver to assist. After recently giving up her driver’s license due to health complications, it was critical for Adele’s mother to have a caregiver who would help with with transportation to and from medical appointments, meetings with friends,  and provide assistance with grocery shopping.

Many families have their nanny provide basic transportation for the children as part of their regular job duties. Whether it’s drop off and pick up from school, transportation to and from sports practice and music lessons, or other scheduled activities, there are some important considerations to keep in mind.

It’s no secret that your life is busy. Work projects, helping kids with homework, extracurricular activities – they all take time. Planning ahead can prevent a scramble to fill the gap when sickness or other life emergencies happen and your caregiver or nanny is not able to make it to your home. 

Nanny chat groups are a great way for nannies to work through challenges and celebrate successes with other professionals, in an industry where co-workers aren't a part of work-life norms. Most nannies in these groups conduct conversations in ways that maintain the privacy of the family they work for, while allowing them to seek advice from others who have had similar experiences. Monday mornings are a frequent topic of these groups, and being aware of why may help you change your behavior and strengthen the bonds of your childcare team.

At HomeWork Solutions, we find that good ideas can come from any of our stakeholders. An employee offering an improved business process, a client requesting default payroll reporting, a caregiver asking for material to educate their employers about Healthcare Reimbursement Accounts… Ideas from all have helped make HomeWork Solutions the company it is today. In fact, our foundation was built on listening to employees.

Weather emergencies can put a real crimp in your work plans, especially if you are a working parent. If you have a nanny or caregiver, changes in weather could mean that they can’t make it safely to your home to provide care. Whether it’s a snowstorm, flooding roads, downed power lines, or ice buildup, planning for inclement weather can minimize the stress when these events occur.

If you are working as a household employee, it is important to understand what taxes you will need to pay. It is easy to feel confused about what you need to pay and when. This is especially true if your employer does not withhold income taxes from your paychecks.*  Here are some important tips.

Updated 27 December 2022

Every year HomeWork Solutions prepares a summary of new or updated household employment tax laws and benefit information.

HOUSEHOLD EMPLOYEE 2023 WAGE BASE:

The IRS annually reviews, and adjusts as necessary, the wage payment threshold that obligates a family to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes.  These tax withholdings are reported annually on a W-2.  This threshold will increase to $2,600 for 2023.

Did you know that most states require household employers to carry Workers Compensation insurance for their household employee? If your state does not require it, it is still recommended to have household workers compensation insurance. Keep in mind that workers’ compensation insurance is a private insurance policy, not a tax.  As such, it must be managed by a state-licensed insurance broker.  This insurance coverage protects both the caregiver and the employer from the expenses and liabilities associated with a workplace injury. Just one accident could leave an employer liable for thousands of dollars in medical bills for an employee.