HIRING OTHER HOUSEHOLD STAFF
Hired a housekeeper or household staff? Here is what you need to know.
Whether you have brought on a housekeeper, household manager, personal assistant, or another member of your household team, the payroll and tax responsibilities are the same as they are for any household employer. We make it simple.
Even one household staff member comes with real obligations. We handle all of it.
Most families are surprised to learn that having just one household employee carries the same payroll and tax responsibilities as having several. The good news is that HomeWork Solutions works with families in this situation every day, including families who didn’t realize they had stepped into the employer role until someone pointed it out. We will walk you through everything, and make sure you feel confident every step of the way.
If you control the work, set the schedule, and pay the wages, the person is almost certainly a household employee under IRS rules, regardless of what you call them or how you’ve been paying them.
- Compliance applies whether the employee works full-time, part-time, or just a few hours a week.
- Paying cash or calling someone self-employed does not change your legal classification as an employer.
- We can go backwards if you've been paying without payroll. Many of our clients start this way.
Am I a household employer?
Who qualifies as other household staff?
Housekeepers
Regular cleaning, laundry, and home maintenance staff working in your home.
Household Managers
Staff who manage day-to-day household operations, scheduling, and vendor coordination.
Personal & Family Assistants
Personal, or family, support staff working primarily in your home.
Groundskeepers
Staff maintaining your property who are directed and controlled by you.
What household staff payroll actually involves.
The compliance requirements are the same whether you employ a nanny, a housekeeper, or a household manager. Here is what we handle entirely on your behalf.
The IRS estimates it takes about 62 hours per year to manage household employment taxes correctly on your own. Most families find that estimate conservative. We handle everything so you don’t have to.
What HomeWork Solutions does for household staff employers.
Whether you have one employee working a few hours a week or a full household staff, our three service tiers are designed around how families actually manage household employment.
Need payroll for more than one household employee? Each additional employee is a flat monthly add-on. No complicated pricing structures. We’ll tell you the total on your free consultation call.
Can I pay my housekeeper as a 1099 independent contractor?
This is one of the most common questions household employers ask. The short answer: it depends on the facts of your arrangement, not your preference.
The IRS uses a multi-factor test to determine worker classification. The most important factors are behavioral control (do you direct how, when, and where the work is done?), financial control (do you set the pay rate and provide the tools?), and the type of relationship (is this an ongoing arrangement with your household specifically?).
For most housekeepers and household staff, the family sets the schedule, defines the tasks, and provides access to the home and its supplies. That arrangement almost always points to a household employee, not an independent contractor.
Signs your household worker is likely a W-2 employee:
- You set the days and hours they work.
- You direct how specific tasks are completed.
- They work primarily or exclusively in your home.
- You provide their supplies or access to household equipment.
- The arrangement is ongoing rather than project-based.
When a 1099 arrangement may genuinely apply:
- The worker operates their own cleaning or service business.
- They set their own rates and schedule across multiple clients.
- They provide their own supplies and equipment.
- The engagement is for a specific, time-limited project.
One of the most common situations we help families correct is when someone has been paid as a 1099 contractor when they should have been classified as a household employee. Getting it right protects you from back taxes, interest, and penalties down the road.
If you’re not sure which category applies to your arrangement, a 10-minute call will give you a clear answer. There is no obligation to purchase any plan just to get that clarity.
Is My Housekeeper a Household Employee?
Frequently Asked Questions
I only have one employee. Do I really need a payroll service?
Yes, if they qualify as a household employee. The number of employees does not change your responsibilities as an employer, and the good news is that the process is more manageable than most families expect. You will need to handle FICA taxes, unemployment taxes, the appropriate filings, and a W-2 at year end, but we take care of all of it for you, so you can feel confident that everything is being handled correctly from the very beginning.
I've been paying cash for months. Can this still be fixed?
Yes. Many families come to us having paid a household employee in cash without realizing it was an issue. We can go back and sort it out: reconstruct records, file what needs to be filed, and get you to a good place from wherever you are starting. We have done it hundreds of times, and the process is simpler than most families expect.
My housekeeper says she's self-employed and handles her own taxes.
That is a common arrangement, but worker’s preference doesn’t determine their classification. What matters is the nature of the working relationship itself. If you set the schedule, direct the work, and control how it gets done, the housekeeper is likely a household employee. We are happy to walk through your specific situation together on a quick call.
My employee only works a few hours a week. Does the threshold apply?
The IRS threshold is based on total annual wages, not hours worked. If you pay a household employee more than the threshold in a calendar year, payroll tax obligations apply, and they generally apply to all wages paid that year, not just the amount over the limit. Part-time and occasional workers can reach that threshold, sometimes faster than families expect. It is a quick calculation, and we are happy to run it for you on your consultation call.
What if I have more than one household employee?
Our service offerings allow for multiple employees. Each additional household employee is a flat monthly add-on to your plan. We commonly support families with housekeepers, household managers, and other staff working within their home, all on one service plan.
Families across the country trust HomeWork Solutions.
“This company is very easy to work with. If there was ever an issue or question, I could quickly get ahold of a representative. I never had to deal with an automated service.”
— Kisha H., Client since 2021
One employee, fully managed.
A free 10-minute call is all it takes to get clarity on your situation, understand what’s required, and take the next step with confidence, whether you’re just getting started or ready to get caught up.