Knowledge Center

Nanny Tax FAQ

• Hawaii Insurance Requirements for Employers

  In addition to federal requirements, household employers may also have state, or even local, labor and tax requirements. In HI, one such requirement is all employers (household employers included) are required to provide health insurance coverage to their employees, if they are not already covered. Below are the answers to frequently asked questions about this… Read more »

• Legal Nanny Payroll – It’s Worth It!

  In the “nanny world”, the temptation to accept a job that pays CASH (off the books, no payroll or income tax reporting) is faced by every nanny. After all, who LIKES to pay taxes? Professional nannies know, however, that being paid legally is ultimately in their own best interest. Why? Unemployment Benefits Nanny jobs are,... Read more »

• Why Aren’t Arizona State Taxes Withheld from My Paycheck?

  Arizona does not allow withholding to be deducted or retained from wages paid for domestic service in a private home. This does not mean that AZ income taxes are not due on these wages, it simply means the employer is unable to withhold and remit them for their household employees. If my employer cannot withhold my… Read more »

• 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 are a household employer. Our knowledge center goes into much more depth on the details, here it is short and simple. Our lives are busy,... Read more »

• I have a housekeeper working in my home. What taxes do I need to pay?

  In general, the Internal Revenue Service requires payroll tax filings by a domestic employer (household employer) who pays a housekeeper or other household employee more than $2,600 cash wages (2023) in a calendar year*. These payroll taxes are collectively referred to as “nanny taxes”, although as a practical matter these employment taxes are applied to… Read more »

• Is my nanny an “Independent Contractor?” Can I do that?

  Is my nanny an independent contractor? Can I give my nanny or senior caregiver a 1099  and let her file her own taxes? Most Workers are Employees! The US Department of Labor's Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, David Weil, clearly stated on July 15, 2015 that most workers are considered employees under the... Read more »

• So what are the payroll taxes household employers pay?

  Nanny taxes, what are they?  First it is important to understand the so called “nanny taxes” are not just for nannies! The Nanny Tax is a catchy phrase for headline writers! However, these are really household employment taxes and apply when you hire a nanny, housekeeper, maid, senior caregiver or other domestic worker. Household employers... Read more »

• Why is my nanny an hourly employee? I want to pay her a salary and not worry about tracking hours each week.

  Nannies and other ‘domestic service employees’ are classified under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as non-exempt workers. The term non-exempt employee refers to a worker who IS subject to the terms of the FLSA regarding such issues as overtime compensation and minimum wage coverage, contemporaneous time tracking record keeping, as well as nanny pay… Read more »

• Do I need to pay my housekeeper or nanny overtime? What about nanny minimum wage?

  The simple answer is yes. Domestic employees specifically are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and have been since 1974. The FLSA establishes: The rules for workers who may be salaried (exempt) and who must be paid overtime (non-exempt). The rules for workers who must be paid no less than minimum wage. State… Read more »

• What payroll taxes does my nanny (housekeeper, maid) pay?

  Nanny payroll taxes, what are they?  First it is important to understand the so called “nanny taxes” apply to ALL household employees, not just nannies. Your household employee (nanny, housekeeper, senior caregiver, etc.) contributes to or pays: Social Security & Medicare Taxes (via payroll deduction) Employee Disability/Unemployment Taxes where required. Federal/State Income Taxes The employer... Read more »