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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… Read more »


Why can’t we just pay Mom’s senior caregiver/housekeeper a salary?

Senior caregivers are hourly employees under the law. Housekeepers and senior caregivers who are not “companions” are classified under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as hourly employees entitled to minimum wage and overtime (non-exempt). The term non-exempt employee refers to a worker who IS subject to the terms of the FLSA regarding such issues… Read more »


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 2018 rose to $2000 per child and is available to… Read more »


What payroll taxes does a nanny, or other household employee, pay? Nanny payroll taxes, what are they?  First it is important to understand that the so called “nanny taxes” apply to ALL household employees, not just nannies. The proper collection and remittance of payroll taxes protects the employer and the employee from the possibility of penalties and interest associated with unpaid back taxes. The employer is... Read more »
Caregiver or Nanny Pay Stubs: Are they required? Did you know that 39 states have now passed laws requiring employers to provide itemized pay stubs to their employees? Why all the attention to nanny pay stubs? There has been a slew of legislation at the state level in the last decade focused on “Wage Theft Prevention” – essentially employers either not paying for all hours... Read more »
What is a wage garnishment order?

Most of our nanny and senior care employers are unfamiliar with wage garnishment orders and the implications and responsibilities they have in relation to the order. A wage garnishment order is a court order which requires that some portion of an employee’s earnings be withheld by the employer for the payment of a debt. Most… Read more »


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… Read more »


Can’t I just order a nationwide nanny background check?

A true, accurate nationwide nanny criminal background check cannot be done, as there is no publicly-accessible central repository for all federal, state and county level felony and misdemeanor convictions. There is one national criminal database created by the FBI, known as the NCIC (National Crime Information Center), but it is not a public record that… Read more »


Do I need a release from the individual to get a nanny background screening report? Is a release necessary for a background screening report? YES! The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that a potential employer obtain a signed release from a candidate prior to ordering the background screening report. You must agree that you understand and are adhering to this law when you submit your order. We advise that you... Read more »
Congress simplified the “nanny taxes.” What does that mean to me?

Congress legislated significant revisions to the “Nanny Tax” in October 1994. The remittance of the FEDERAL nanny payroll taxes was incorporated in the employing families’ annual Form 1040 filings. Most payments to household workers under 18 years of age are now exempted. The wage payment that triggers an obligation to make “Nanny Tax” filings was… Read more »


Wonderful service staffed by nice people who enjoy dealing professionally with all-to-often less than thrilling payroll taxes. HomeWork Solutions provides a cost-effective service which delivers ... peace of mind with a smile.— Charles H., New York, NY