As we move into 2026, hiring in-home assistance, whether it’s a nanny for your children or a caregiver for an aging parent, comes with greater responsibility.

Topics: nanny, Senior Caregiver Payroll, senior, CPA, Household payroll compliance, household employee classification, 2026 household employer tips, nanny tax mistakes, caregiver payroll laws, nanny classification, HomeWork Solutions payroll help, time tracking household employees, W-2 vs 1099 for nannies, overtime rules for household workers, workers’ comp for household employees, paying household workers legally

Topics: caregiver payroll, nanny agency, senior care, nanny, nanny tax, Senior Caregiver Payroll, legal nanny pay, household employment taxes, household employer responsibilities, nanny tax laws, under the table payment risks, paying nanny cash, nanny payroll service

If you hire individuals to work in your home, such as nannies, senior caregivers, or housecleaners, you are likely a household employer in the eyes of federal labor and tax authorities. This employment relationship means you're responsible for filing the proper taxes and providing the necessary paperwork to your employees if you pay them over $2,700 for the year (updated for 2024).

Topics: household employer, nanny tax, Senior Caregiver Payroll, domestic worker, caregiver tax, schedule H, household employment, homework solutions

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 Mike and Joyce welcomed Mike’s mother into their home following the loss of her husband, they also hired a part-time caregiver to assist with some of her daily needs. Opting for simplicity in a challenging time and not realizing there were employment obligations, they agreed to a $500 weekly payment off the books—a decision that seemed mutually beneficial at the outset. The caregiver proved invaluable over the nearly three years she worked with them, parting ways amicably when Mike’s mother transitioned to a nursing facility.

Topics: aging in place, eldercare, Hiring Elder care, hiring care for seniors, Senior Caregiver Payroll

Good communication that establishes a mutual understanding is necessary when hiring a nanny, senior caregiver, or other household employee to work in your home. When it comes to defining benefits such as paid holidays, the details matter to ensure there is no misunderstanding about how these holidays will be compensated. If the employee often works more than 40 hours per week, defining this benefit and clarifying expectations becomes even more critical. Let’s examine how labor laws determine when overtime is due and how guaranteed pay alters the picture.

Topics: overtime rules, household employee, household employer, hiring a nanny, time tracking, nanny hourly wage, domestic employer legal responsibilities, nanny overtime, Hiring Elder care, Senior Caregiver Payroll

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

Whether you are hiring a nanny, a caregiver for an elderly family member, or any other domestic worker, understanding the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) live-in and live-out designations, is crucial. These federal guidelines ensure fair treatment and compensation for domestic workers, based on the residential status required of their position.

Topics: nanny agency, senior care, nanny, Senior Caregiver Payroll, agency, senior, CPA

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law designed to protect the rights and well-being of workers in the United States, including those working in private households. It is important to understand how the FLSA applies to domestic workers and the concept of "hours worked" to ensure a fair and legal working environment. Keep in mind, while these federal requirements apply in all areas, states and localities also have laws regarding hours worked and compensation.

Topics: FLSA, nanny agency, nanny, caregiver, Senior Caregiver Payroll, domestic worker, agency

If you are considering hiring a nanny, senior caregiver, or other household employee, and are unsure if your new hire should be paid hourly or salaried, you're not alone. Many families are confused by the rules and guidelines that govern their employment arrangements with domestic employees. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides guidance and explains why nannies and most other household employees are considered "Non-Exempt workers under federal law and must be eligible for overtime pay.

Topics: nanny agency, senior care, nanny, Senior Caregiver Payroll, agency, senior, CPA