If one of your household employees recently filed for unemployment benefits, you might be feeling unsure about your next steps. Don't worry—this is a common situation, and we're here to guide you through it. Understanding what it means when a former employee files an unemployment claim can help you respond properly and avoid any potential complications. Let’s break down the basics of unemployment claims and explain what’s required of you as an employer.

Topics: nanny, household payroll, homework solutions

As household employers in 2024, we know the importance of building strong, trusting relationships with our nannies and senior caregivers. Performance evaluations are a crucial part of this, but traditional reviews can feel daunting and unproductive. It's time to transform these evaluations into empowering conversations that foster growth and satisfaction for everyone involved.

Topics: nanny, household payroll, senior, homework solutions

If you’ve recently hired a household employee, you’re likely aware you have employment tax obligations. One crucial and often overlooked responsibility, in addition to social security and Medicare taxes, is paying Federal and State Unemployment Insurance taxes. This benefit program can be confusing, but we’ll explain the essential details.

Topics: nanny, senior, homework solutions

Nanny sharing is a popular solution for families balancing quality childcare with budget constraints. This arrangement allows one nanny to care for children of more than one family simultaneously. This arrangement offers social benefits for the children and financial savings for the parents. At the same time, the nanny generally makes a slightly higher hourly wage. However, as beneficial as nanny sharing can be, it also comes with challenges. Let's explore some common issues in nanny-share situations and provide practical solutions to ensure a smooth experience for everyone involved.

Topics: nanny share, nanny, household payroll, homework solutions, childcare solutions

 

Topics: nanny, household payroll, homework solutions

Minimum wage will be increasing in many states and cities across the country.  As longtime advocates for fair and legal pay, we believe this is long overdue!  Domestic employees deserve a living wage that fairly compensates them for the invaluable work they do to keep our households running.

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

If you've worked as a household employee and received your pay 'under the table,' you might wonder about your eligibility for Social Security benefits when you retire. The answer is not straightforward and depends significantly on your marital status, work history, and how your income was reported.

Topics: eldercare, nanny retirement, W-2, nanny, caregiver, Senior Caregiver Payroll, senior home caregiver, domestic worker, childcare

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

Nanny work agreements play a vital role in establishing a successful nanny-employer relationship. These documents provide a clear framework for the employment arrangement and help prevent potentially damaging misunderstandings. 

Topics: nanny, agency

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