Blog
Understanding Household Employment
Nanny and Au Pair: What’s the Difference?
What is the difference between an au pair and a nanny? An au pair is a foreign national living in the United States as part of the host family, who receives a small stipend in exchange for babysitting and help with housework. Legally authorized to live and work (only...
Paying Your Nanny Off the Books: Not Worth the Risk
Many household employers mistakenly assume that because the employment of domestic work is within their own home, they are unlikely to get caught paying their employee illegally. Because there is a long history of household employment being paid in this way, many...
Home Office Tax Deduction for Domestic Employers
There is an option that makes it simpler for qualifying taxpayers to include a home office tax deduction. The IRS announced a simplified option that many owners of home-based businesses and some home-based workers may want to use to figure their deductions for the...
Life Insurance for Domestic Workers
Some employers offer life insurance for domestic workers. The main purpose of life insurance is to provide a death benefit to the nanny's (or other household employee) dependents or beneficiaries, in order to help replace lost income and protect against the financial...
Hiring a Senior Caregiver: Using an Agency
Hiring a senior caregiver can be just as important for a household employer as hiring a nanny; you are trusting the safety and well-being of a loved one to a stranger. Using an agency to hire a caregiver can help ease some concerns. When working with an agency, ensure...
Workers’ Compensation 101 for Household Employers
Do household employers need to have a workers’ compensation policy for their nanny? Depending on the state in which you reside, you may be required by law to provide and maintain Workers’ Compensation coverage for your nanny or other household employee. In some states...
Is Your Nanny Asking to Borrow Money?
Occasionally a nanny or other household employee might find themselves in need of cash and may ask you, as their employer, for a loan. For a nanny asking to borrow money, information about borrowing against future wages should be provided to the nanny and included in...
Do Nannies Need Credit History?
Credit history for nannies and other household employees is very important if they are ever planning to apply for a loan, buy a car, buy a house, or have a credit card. A nanny who accepts wages “under the table” will not have a legal employment history or credit...
Minimum Wage Increases In Several Areas
Connecticut, Minnesota, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington D.C. have recently increased their minimum wage requirements. All of these increases will take place gradually over a certain number of years. Household employers who pay their employees minimum...
Get your free: 