COVID-19 Resources for Household Employers

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is being felt across the country. This page serves as a hub for COVID-19 resources for household employers with links to articles and websites to help you stay compliant and ensure the safety of your family and your employees.

Check back for updates as we will continue to monitor the crisis and post new developments here.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Here are answers to some common questions you and your employee may have about the COVID-19 vaccination.

Preparing Your Children for a COVID-19 Vaccination – With the news that Moderna wants the FDA to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of six, here’s what you need to know to prepare yourself and your kids – including older ones who haven’t received the vaccine yet – for their vaccination.

White House Unveils Vaccination Plan for 28 Million Children Ages 5 to 11 – The White House vaccination plan aims to ensure that the vaccine is quickly distributed and made conveniently and equitably available to families across the country.

Should You Vaccinate Your Child for COVID-19? – Vaccinating your children for COVID-19 protects other family members, helps them avoid serious illness even if they do get COVID-19, and keeps them in school and participating in their activities.

Filing Taxes

IRS to Provide Penalty Relief for Tax Returns Filed Late Due to COVID-19 – To help taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS is providing penalty relief to most people who filed 2019 or 2020 returns late including those who have already paid their penalties.

How to File Schedule H – If you haven’t filed your tax return yet and employed a household worker last year – like a nanny, housekeeper, or senior caregiver – you may be wondering … what is Schedule H, and do I need to file it? Here is everything you need to know including how to claim a tax credit for pandemic-related paid leave.

Federal Regulations

DHS COVID-19 Temporary Policy (2022)

The Department of Homeland Security has ended the COVID-19 Temporary Policy for List B Identity Documents. That means families with household help are no longer able to accept expired List B documents with their worker’s Form I-9. Here’s how to handle previously hired employees who presented expired documents.

American Rescue Plan (2021)

The American Rescue Plan – a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package that became law in March 2021 – includes expanded tax credits, additional stimulus checks, extended unemployment benefits, and more.

New Stimulus Package (2021)

A new stimulus package was signed into law during the last week of December. There are four key provisions that household employers need to be aware of including voluntary paid sick leave and updates to dependent care FSAs.

The IRS has allowed more flexibility in Dependent Care FSAs and how they are used to help families pay for childcare.

Paid Sick Leave – Federal

Employee Paid Sick Leave Request Form (for non-GTM clients) – employers intending to claim a tax credit for payment of sick leave or FMLA leave must have specific documentation from employees supporting their eligibility for such benefits. For GTM clients, this form is part of your employee’s time card. Call client support at (800) 929-9213 for assistance.

IRS FAQs on tax credit for paid leave – These FAQs address the tax credits available under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for employers providing qualified sick and family leave to leave employees from April 1 – September 30, 2021.

CARES Act

How to Make a Tax-Free Payment Towards Your Nanny’s Student Loans – The CARES Act temporarily adds qualified student loan payments as acceptable tax-free contributions to education-related employee benefits. Originally set to expire on December 31, 2020, the stimulus package extends this provision through 2025.

State Regulations

Find links to your state’s labor department or other government agencies handling the impact of COVID-19.

State-by-state child care actions in response to COVID-19.

New York’s HERO Act imposes new household employer requirements.

States that require employers to have COVID-19 Preparedness Plans – these plans may apply to household employment

Federal and State COVID-19 Resources

Federal and State COVID-19 Resources – materials (including information from the CDC and DOL) to help you stay on top of employee concerns as well as state-by-state links to helpful resources.

Managing Household Employees

Can You Require Your Nanny to Get a COVID-19 Vaccination? – The simple answer is yes. But there are some other considerations to make as you determine a course of action.

Do You Share the Same Risk Tolerance as Your Nanny – Make sure you and your caregiver have a similar COVID-19 risk tolerance to avoid any potential safety issues during their employment.

9 Steps to Conducting Virtual Interviews when Hiring a Nanny – Virtual interviews can help you see all qualified applicants and limit in-person exposure to COVID-19.

How to Safely Bring Back or Hire a Housekeeper During the Pandemic – Here are some steps to follow when hiring and employing a housekeeper.

Creating a Return to Work Plan for Your Nanny – Before asking your nanny to come back to work (or hiring a new one), thoughtfully construct a return to work plan to keep everyone healthy and safe after the pandemic.

Screening Employee Temperature Upon Return to Work (PDF) – Even with an OK to return to work, that doesn’t ensure the coronavirus won’t continue to spread. Can you take an employee’s temperature as a precaution upon returning to work?

FAQs: Employing Household Workers During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic – if you plan to have an employee in your home during or after the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have health and safety concerns.

Helpful Tips When Employing a Nanny During the Pandemic – If you’re considering bringing back or employing a nanny for the first time, follow these four tips to help create a safe work environment for your caregiver.

How to Successfully Work from Home with a Nanny – With proper planning and good communication, you can create a successful work-from-home situation that benefits you, your children, and your nanny.

Is a Nanny Share the Right Childcare Choice for You During the Pandemic? – Forming a nanny share could be a way to reduce the costs of private, in-home care while also providing a safer environment than a daycare center.

Keeping Your Family Safe

7 Steps to Keeping Your Baby Healthy and Safe During the Pandemic – If you are pregnant or recently had a baby, here’s what you can do to protect yourself and your child during the pandemic plus how to care for your baby if you have COVID-19.

Is it Safe for Pregnant Individuals to Get Vaccinated for COVID-19? – The CDC strengthened its recommendation for pregnant individuals to get the COVID-19 vaccine as the agency strives to promote greater vaccination rates amid an increase in cases of the Delta variant.

Understanding the Delta Variant, Mask Guidelines, and Vaccinations – The CDC has updated its mask guidelines as an emerging variant of COVID-19 known as Delta spreads across the country. Here is why this variant concerning health experts and what it means for vaccinated individuals

Safe Summer Vacation Ideas for Your Family in 2021 – While you may be itching to get back to normal, caution still remains as summer vacation beckons. Here are some of the safest (and fun) summer vacation ideas for your family in 2021.

What to Know About Pregnancy and Newborn Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Here’s what you need to know about protecting yourself if you’re pregnant, the safety of vaccines, and caring for a newborn baby during the pandemic.

How to Help Your Child Wear a Mask During the Pandemic – While it may be hard for a child to put on a mask, it’s an important way to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Working During the Pandemic

Preparing for Your Return to the Office or Hybrid Schedule – Here are some steps to help parents make the transition to a full-time office return or hybrid schedule as seamless as possible.

How to Manage Work-from-Home Paranoia – Working from home has become the norm for many parents but some are finding it difficult to fully understand what colleagues or managers might be asking of them.

5 Ways to Cope with Pandemic Re-Entry Anxiety – Returning to in-person work is being discussed constantly, comes with some uncertainties, and may lead to feelings of re-entry anxiety.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Links

• Prevention of COVID-19
• What to do if You Have Symptoms
• Subscribe to CDC email updates

Household Payroll Services

GTM Payroll Services is monitoring developments with the COVID-19 pandemic and taking all necessary precautions to help ensure the safety of our clients, employees, and community. Payroll companies have been designated as essential services and are not subject to closure. Learn more about our business continuity plan.