For CPAs, now is a great time of year to ensure clients with household employees—like nannies—are doing things the right way to make tax time easier for them and for you. It’s ideal if these clients have diligently tracked hours, issued accurate paychecks with the appropriate Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld, and kept up with quarterly unemployment tax filings and W-2 distribution. Unfortunately, this scenario is more the exception than the rule. Many employers of household employees are either not fully aware of their responsibilities or find themselves too pressed for time to manage them effectively, often creating additional workload for their CPAs.

Topics: household employee, household payroll, CPA

May was an extremely busy month for labor rules across the U.S. Read on for our latest roundup of the Department of Labor's final rule, its ramifications across industries, and expert opinions on how all these topics impact your practice and your clients.

DOL Finalizes Fiduciary Investment Advice Regulation | Practical Law The Journal | Reuters
Reuters
The Department of Labor (DOL) has finalized a regulation on the definition of fiduciary investment advice under the Employee Retirement Income ... 

Topics: FLSA, independent contractor, accountants, CPA

On January 10, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule revising its guidance on how to determine whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Effective March 11, 2024, this new rule rescinds the prior independent contractor rule from 2021. 

Topics: CPA

When new household employees reach out to HomeWork Solutions for information on how their employers should report wages, some respond with “I don’t want to pay taxes, maybe we will just do this under the table.” While under the table payments might seem tempting at first, it really isn’t a good idea to work “off the books." We remind these callers when unreported or under-reported income comes to light the taxpayer not only owes the original amount, but also penalties and interest. Often these callers ask how the IRS will find out about the payments.  So, let’s look into how under the table wages may be discovered.

Topics: senior care, nanny, agency, senior, CPA

In the world of employment and compensation, bonuses are like icing on the cake. They are the reward that make hard work and dedication feel appreciated and recognized. For hourly employees like nannies, caregivers, and , bonuses can take two primary forms: discretionary and non-discretionary. But what are the key differences between these two, and how do they impact overtime pay? 

Topics: senior care, nanny, agency, senior, CPA

In the modern economy, more and more households are hiring domestic help, whether it's a nanny, caregiver, or housekeeper. These household employees play a crucial role in keeping our lives running smoothly, and it's important to recognize their dedication and hard work. One effective way to show appreciation and also maximize tax savings for you, and your employee, is by offering a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) or an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA).

Topics: nanny agencies, senior care, nanny, nanny tax, household payroll tax, nanny benefits, household independent contractor, household payroll, agency, senior, CPA

Updated December 2023

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

HOUSEHOLD EMPLOYEE 2024 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 $2,700 for 2024.

Topics: nanny, agency, senior, CPA

Governments are recognizing the need to ensure household employees are paid a living wage and slowly phasing in wage increases over a series of years.  Effective January 1, 2024, minimum wage will be increasing in additional states and cities across the country.  As longtime advocates for fair and legal pay, we hope to see this trend continue, and to see an increase to the Federal Minimum Wage in the coming years.

Topics: senior care, nanny, agency, senior, CPA

The short answer is yes. Domestic employees, such as nannies, household assistants, and elder care providers are hourly employees under the law, and therefore must be paid overtime. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides the framework to determine weekly overtime requirements for household workers. Some states also have laws requiring daily overtime. It is important to understand all applicable rules to determine when overtime pay is due.

Topics: eldercare, caregiver payroll, nanny agency, senior care, nanny employment practices, nanny, nanny tax, nanny overtime, household payroll, Senior Caregiver Payroll, agency, senior, CPA

If you are seeking to provide a tax advantaged healthcare reimbursement, such as a QSEHRA, to your household employee, you need to make sure it is ACA compliant. Let's delve into what it takes for a plan to be ACA-compliant and what might not meet those standards.

Topics: eldercare, household employee, nanny agency, senior care, nanny, nanny health insurance, household payroll, senior caregiver health insurance, agency, senior, CPA