Hiring someone to work in your home—whether it’s a nanny caring for your children, a caregiver supporting an elderly parent, or a housekeeper helping manage your household—means stepping into the role of a household employer. Along with that role comes the responsibility of handling payroll correctly, including understanding what you’re allowed to deduct from your employee’s paycheck.
Topics: nanny, agency, senior, CPA, household employee paycheck deductions, legal payroll deductions for nannies, illegal payroll deductions household staff, household employer payroll compliance, wage advance repayment agreement, HomeWork Solutions payroll services, nanny payroll deductions, household payroll laws by state
If you employ an in-home worker like a nanny, senior caregiver, housekeeper, or private chef, understanding how to classify your worker correctly is crucial. Classification affects your obligations as an employer—especially when it comes to taxes.
Topics: nanny, nanny tax compliance, agency, senior, household employer taxes, independent contractor vs employee caregiver, household payroll services, caregiver tax obligations, W-2 for caregiver, caregiver misclassification, caregiver classification, HomeWork Solutions nanny tax
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
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
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.
If you employ a nanny, senior caregiver, or other household worker, it’s essential to stay informed about payroll tax obligations — especially the FUTA Credit Reduction, which can impact the amount of federal unemployment tax you owe. If you’re not familiar with this term, don’t worry. We’re here to explain what it means, how it works, and how it might affect your payroll in 2024.
Topics: nanny, senior, CPA, Household payroll compliance, FUTA Credit Reduction
Correcting the mistake of wages paid under the table is the right thing to do, and we can help.
Topics: nanny, senior, CPA, Pay caregiver on the books, How to pay a nanny legally, Household payroll service, Pay nanny legally, Back taxes for nannies
