Knowledge Center
Nanny Employers
Great Options for Nanny Health Insurance Benefits
More and more we’re getting nannies asking about how to get health insurance built into their compensation packages; we’re realizing many more employers asking how they can help with nanny health insurance benefits, too. That’s fantastic! Just knowing how to go about doing it is where things get confusing. Let’s consider the question: what’s a […]
What about tracking the nanny’s hours? What is required?
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) states that due to the nature of their work and duties, nannies and other household workers are employees, are hourly workers, and are covered by minimum wage and overtime laws. The FLSA requires employers to maintain accurate and complete contemporaneous time records for tracking hours worked by an employee. When […]
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 compensation or $72,000 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans: Up to $24,500 Catch-up contributions (age50+): Up to $8,000 There are some practical ways an employer […]
How to Write a Nanny Letter of Recommendation
Our wonderful nanny will be leaving in September when our son begins full time school. How do we help her with a letter of recommendation? The nanny’s letter of recommendation from her former employer is an important part of her “Nanny Portfolio,” a collection of materials including her resume, work history, educational certifications, and examples […]
How do I calculate overtime for my salaried nanny? What about compensation for occasional overnights?
Most regular nannies are paid on a guaranteed pay basis. What this typically means is that the family agreed to pay the nanny a pre-determined salary for a given number of hours in a pay period. The full time nanny work schedule is often more than 40 hours per week. It is important to remember, […]
What could happen if I don’t pay the nanny taxes? Are there any good reasons to pay?
Why Should I Pay Nanny Taxes In-home care is expensive. After the family’s mortgage payment, the nanny or home health aide salary is often the biggest expense in the household. Add the cost of taxes on top of this and many families wonder “Why?” If I don’t pay the taxes the nanny keeps more money, […]
My nanny wants net take home pay of $600 a week. What does that mean?
Many household employees, including nannies, expect to negotiate a “net wage” or “net take home pay” agreement with their employer. The net take home pay agreement is a foreign concept for many nanny employers, and often the new employer does not fully understand the financial implications of a net pay agreement with the nanny or […]
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 pay frequency regulations are summarized below. Payroll calculations for your household employee (nanny, housekeeper, maid, senior caregiver, etc.) are governed by the Fair Labor Standards Act. […]
Are there tax breaks for dependent care? Does this apply when I hire an in-home caregiver?
There are two popular strategies that families employing nannies or senior caregivers use to minimize their personal income taxes. Many families can utilize a flexible spending plan (cafeteria plan) offered by their employer for child and dependent care expenses. Your employer’s human resources department can provide you with plan details. Another strategy is the Child […]
I have heard that I may qualify for childcare related personal income tax breaks? Does this apply when I hire a nanny?
When you hire a nanny you may qualify for a childcare related personal income tax breaks. There are two popular strategies that families with child care expenses use to minimize their personal income taxes and are in addition to the Child Tax Credit, which in 2025 rose to $2,200 per child and is available to […]
Orienting the New Nanny
A little preparation and a few hours of new employee orientation greatly improve the comfort level of both the nanny and family. Before the nanny starts make sure you have all of her personal contact information as well as information you need for payroll processing – a completed W-4 form with her Social Security Number […]
Nanny Annual Performance Reviews
Nannies, like any other employee, are entitled to regular, scheduled salary reviews and performance appraisals. Many families link the two, others strictly review salary on an annual basis and performance appraisals may be delivered more frequently. Regular review of performance and compensation sends the nanny the message that you view her as a professional, a […]