Knowledge Center

Topic

• I have someone 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 $2,800 cash wages (2024) 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 […]

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

  https://youtu.be/GhJ-J3-Ce6s 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 […]

• This is complicated…What are the risks if I ignore the Nanny Taxes?

  Household employment taxes are complicated! Learn more about what the risk factors are for ignoring nanny taxes below. Risks When You Ignore the Nanny Taxes We know that lots of families skip the the nanny tax. If you are thinking of going in that direction, please be sure you consider the following: Tax Fraud (a […]

• Who actually performs the nanny background investigations?

  Nanny, housekeeper and senior caregiver background checks are provided by a third party, National Crime Search, Inc., an Arkansas-based corporation with a national background screening network. National Crime Search is in compliance with the Professional Background Screening Association and formally recognized as BSCC-Accredited. Nanny background checks are a vitally important part of the nanny hiring process […]

• Emergency Nanny Income During a Pandemic (Old – Redirected)

  17 March 2020 Summary Over the last several days, attempts to contain and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus are severely disrupting everyday life in the USA. Worries are running the gamut from, “Where can I find toilet paper?” to “I can’t work, I’m not being paid, how can I pay for toilet paper?” […]

• State Minimum Wages

  NOTE:  If your state’s minimum wage rate differs from the federal rate, then the employer must pay the higher of the two rates for a domestic worker’s minimum wage. Nannies, housekeepers, and most senior caregivers are covered by minimum wage legislation. They must be paid for every hour of work at no less than the […]

• The order form asks for type of business. I am hiring a nanny? What do I answer?

  If you are an individual (NOT a business) ordering pre-employment screening or background check form for hiring a nanny, housekeeper, senior caregiver, homecare worker, etc. that you will privately employ (meaning YOU are paying the employee directly) you should choose Sole Proprietor as the business type, and describe business activities as “I am a household […]

• What are the recommended items to be checked for nanny background screening?

  Thorough caregiver background checks are critical. Nanny background screening is not just for nannies!  This applies equally for screening a privately hired senior caregiver who will care for a vulnerable adult. County record searches should be ordered in every jurisdiction that the candidate has lived in the last 7 years. You will want to verify […]

• Nanny Tax Wage Test Steadily Increases

  The nanny tax wage test, the minimum amount of wages paid that obligates the household employer for household employment taxes, is $2,800 of wages paid to an employee in the year 2024 (or $1,000 paid total in a calendar quarter for FUTA tax). HomeWork Solutions, Inc., May 2024 Nanny tax legislation enacted in 1994 dramatically […]

• Should We Consider a Private Educator?

  Parents begin consideration and planning for their children’s education from the moment of birth. The typical progression through preschool,  elementary, and secondary schools meets the needs of most families, but not all. When the traditional route is not a good fit, families may consider home-schooling  or engaging a private educator. Why do families consider private […]

• 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 […]

• What is the nanny background check screening and report delivery procedure?

  Wondering what the nanny background screening process is? Here is a step by step guide. Set up your nanny background screening account by click on ORDER NOW. You will be redirected to our nanny background screening partner, National Crime Search.. Download the Candidate Records Release Authorization form and have your applicant complete it for you. The […]