Hiring someone to work in your home—whether a nanny, senior caregiver, or housekeeper—comes with responsibilities. One of the most important is verifying that your employee is legally authorized to work in the U.S. That starts with completing Form I-9, but in some states, there's an extra step: using E-Verify.
Topics: nanny e-verify, nanny agency, nanny, senior, e-verify, undocumented, E-Verify domestic workers, hiring a caregiver legally, I-9 form, nanny employment verification
When families begin considering in-home care—whether for a child or an aging loved one—questions about costs come up quickly. One of the most common: Are these expenses tax deductible? The answer is: sometimes, yes. But it depends on your situation and the type of care provided.
Topics: nanny, agency, senior, in-home care tax deduction, senior caregiver tax deduction, child and dependent care tax credit, nanny tax credit
Tax season can be stressful, especially if you end up owing more than expected. Many nannies and other household employees find themselves with a surprise tax bill, often because of how income tax withholding is handled throughout the year.
Topics: nanny share, nanny agency, nanny, nanny payroll, homework solutions, W-4 mistakes, nanny share taxes
Babysitting is an essential service for parents who want to go on a date, attend a child-free event, or simply have some time to recharge. However, when tax season arrives, many caregivers wonder whether they need to pay taxes on those earnings. The answer depends on how much money changed hands and whether the temporary work meets the guidelines for self-employment.
Topics: household employee taxes, nanny, agency, nanny side jobs, babysitting taxes, babysitter self-employment tax
If you’ve hired a nanny, you’re responsible for handling their payroll and taxes correctly—and that includes issuing a W-2 at the end of the year. But a W-2 isn’t just a form you fill out in January; it’s the final step in a yearlong process of paying your nanny legally.
Topics: nanny w-2 form, nanny, agency, nanny tax withholding, How to create a W-2 for a nanny, Employer responsibilities for a nanny, Nanny tax forms
Feeling like there’s never enough time in the day? You’re not alone. Between work, family, and everything else on your plate, managing your household’s payroll and taxes can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it all yourself.
Topics: household employee taxes, caregiver payroll, nanny, nanny payroll, nanny background screening, agency, senior, outsource household payroll, stress-free payroll solutions
You’ve hired a fantastic nanny, housekeeper, or caregiver — but now it’s time to navigate pay stubs. It’s more than just a piece of paper. A pay stub is your proof of legal compliance, your employee’s proof of income, and one of the most important parts of managing household payroll.
Topics: nanny agency, nanny, homework solutions, Pay stubs for household employers, How to create pay a stub for nanny, pay stubs for caregivers, pay for household employees
Many families who hire household employees, like nannies, senior caregivers, or housekeepers, may not realize they’ve become employers in the eyes of the IRS and labor authorities. It’s common for families to agree to pay "off the books" without thinking about taxes — until January rolls around and the employee asks for a W-2.
Topics: nanny agency, nanny, household payroll, senior, CPA, W-2 for household employee, W-2 nanny, W-2 caregiver
Each year, the IRS releases an updated W-4 form, and while it's not mandatory for employees to fill out a new one annually, it’s a smart move to review it. Adjusting withholding helps employees avoid surprises like a big tax bill or an oversized refund at tax time.
Topics: nanny agency, nanny, senior, 2025 W-4 form, W-4 for nannies, tax withholding for employees, nanny tax withholding
Updated December 2024
Every year HomeWork Solutions prepares a summary of new or updated 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. These tax withholdings are reported annually on a W-2. This threshold will increase to $2,800 for 2025.
