Do I need to hire a U.S. citizen to be our nanny or dad’s caregiver?
SUMMARY: You may legally hire a U.S. citizen, an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or an alien with a valid work permit. You are required to verify your candidate’s
Knowledge Center Category: Nanny Employers
How frequently do I need to pay my household worker? My nanny wants to be paid weekly. Do I need to do that?
The pay frequency of a nanny or senior caregiver (and all hourly, non-exempt employees) – the maximum interval between wage payments to the worker – is governed by state law. Nanny
What do I do with the Wage and Benefit Audit form I received?
States use a Wage and Benefit audit for many purposes. The state may be checking on taxpayer subsidized benefits that the worker is receiving such as Medicaid for a dependent child, or
Are you a household employer?
What Your Family Needs to Know… At HWS, we are experts on the tax and labor laws surrounding household employment, so you don’t have to be. Let’s first determine whether YOU
Do the Nanny Tax rules ever change?
Yes. The 1995 Federal legislation, the “simplification” of the nanny tax rules, began a cascade of changes that continues today. Nanny tax rules alone are not the only regulations the
How can I help my nanny build a retirement savings account?
For 2026 the limits will be as follows. SIMPLE IRA plans: Up to $17,000 (or $18,100 for small employers) Defined Contribution plans (like SEP IRAs): The lesser of 25% of
Can I hire a nanny who has a F-1 (J-1) Student Visa. Are there special rules?
SUMMARY: Since 1994, off campus work (including work in a private home as a nanny, SENIOR CAREGIVER, housekeeper, maid or other domestic work) is generally prohibited for J-1 or F-1
Our former nanny applied for unemployment benefits? Will she get them?
The working arrangement between a nanny and the family is considered employment at-will under US common law unless the written work agreement specifies a term of contract (which is a
We are hiring a live-in nanny. How do you figure her room and board for tax purposes?
In general, the Internal Revenue Service (see §119(a)) allows you to exclude from income the value of meals and lodging furnished by the employer when hiring a live-in nanny or
I hired a nanny. What about household employers workers’ compensation and disability insurance?
SUMMARY: State insurance regulations determine when household employers workers’ compensation and disability insurance are required. The rules vary by state. We recommend meeting with a licensed insurance broker to review