Minimum Wage<\/a><\/p>\n Overtime Pay Rules<\/a><\/p>\n State Unemployment Tax & Rate<\/a><\/p>\n Workers\u2019 Compensation Insurance<\/a><\/p>\n Disability Benefits Insurance<\/a><\/p>\n Domestic Workers\u2019 Bill of Rights<\/a><\/p>\n Paid Leave Laws<\/a><\/p>\n Other State Regulations<\/a><\/p>\n Helpful Links<\/a><\/p>\n Federal Regulations<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”More from our Learning Library” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Browse Learning Library” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”17px||26px|||” border_width_bottom=”2px” border_color_bottom=”#0C71C3″ global_module=”41596″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/gtm.com\/household\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Resource-Library-Hero3.png” alt=”free consultation” title_text=”Resource-Library-Hero3″ align=”center” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”LL image” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” width=”80%” custom_margin=”||0px|||” global_module=”41597″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”LL links” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” header_2_text_color=”#666666″ min_height=”59.2px” custom_margin=”||11px|||” custom_padding=”||17px|||” global_module=”41598″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Popular Resources” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”LL Featured Resources” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”17px||26px|||” border_width_bottom=”2px” border_color_bottom=”#0C71C3″ global_module=”41599″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”LL featured links” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” header_2_text_color=”#666666″ min_height=”59.2px” custom_margin=”||11px|||” custom_padding=”||17px|||” global_module=”41600″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding_tablet=”60px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”State Regulations – Intro Text” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”_initial” link_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#212492″ header_3_text_color=”#666666″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#666666″ link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybCIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7fX0=@” z_index_tablet=”500″ use_border_color=”off” global_module=”41634″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Household employers must comply with applicable tax, wage, and labor laws for nannies, in-home senior caregivers, and other household employees. While federal rules apply to employers nationwide, there are also state- and city-specific regulations employers must follow.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”at a glance Code” module_id=”glance” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f4f4f4″ custom_margin=”-25px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [et_pb_section global_module=\"40763 \"][\/et_pb_section][\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”minimum wage ” module_id=”minimum” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#212492″ header_3_text_color=”#666666″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#666666″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Household employees must be paid at least the highest applicable federal, state, or local minimum wage rate. Maine\u2019s minimum wage rate of $15.10\/hour applies.<\/p>\n These local rates supersede the state minimum wage and become the applicable rate.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”overtime ” module_id=”overtime” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#212492″ header_3_text_color=”#666666″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#666666″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Household employees in Maine must be paid at least time-and-a-half for hours worked over 40 in a seven-day workweek. Overtime compensation is not required for live-in employees or when work is performed on a holiday.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”State Unemployment Tax & Rate header” module_id=”unemployment” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#212492″ header_3_text_color=”#666666″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#666666″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In Maine, the new employer SUI (state unemployment insurance) rate is 2.54 percent on the first $12,000 of each employee’s wages. This rate includes a competitive skills scholarship fund assessment (0.14 percent) and an unemployment program administrative fund assessment (0.17 percent). Employers with previous employees may be subject to a different rate. This is an employer-only tax.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”workers comp ” module_id=”workerscomp” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#212492″ header_3_text_color=”#666666″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#666666″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Household employers in Maine are not required to have workers\u2019 compensation coverage for any full- or part-time employees. However, you can choose a voluntary policy to protect both you and your employee. Get a quote on workers\u2019 compensation insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”Disability Benefits Insurance” module_id=”disability” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#212492″ header_3_text_color=”#666666″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#666666″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Maine does not have disability benefits insurance requirements related to household employment.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”domestic workers bill of rights ” module_id=”domestic” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#212492″ header_3_text_color=”#666666″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#666666″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Maine does not have a domestic workers’ bill of rights.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”paid leave ” module_id=”paidleave” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#212492″ header_3_text_color=”#666666″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#666666″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Maine\u2019s paid family and medical leave program will cover all employers with one or more employees working in Maine. Employers and employees contribute to a paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Fund. Benefits will become available on May 1, 2026. Pre-applications for leaves starting on or after May 1 will open in April.<\/p>\n To be eligible, employees must have earned wages in Maine at least six times the state average weekly wage during the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the first day of an individual\u2019s benefit year. Using the current Maine average weekly wage of $1,198, employees who earn at least $7,188 in the year before taking leave are covered.<\/p>\n Employees can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave in a benefit year for any one or a combination of covered reasons.<\/p>\n Family leave may be taken to<\/strong>:<\/p>\n A \u201cfamily member\u201d includes a parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or any other individual with whom the covered employee has a significant personal bond that is like a family relationship.<\/p>\n Medical leave may be taken for<\/strong>:<\/p>\n To fund the program, employers must remit premiums to the program every quarter, not more than 1.0% of wages for each Maine employee. The premium amount is split evenly between the employer and employees. However, there is no employer contribution for employers with fewer than 15 employees, which likely includes household employers in the state. They are only required to remit the employee\u2019s share (50% of the required premium, or 0.5% of wages, to the fund), or the employer can choose to pay this premium on their employee\u2019s behalf.<\/p>\n Under the program, employees are entitled to receive a weekly benefit amount while on leave equal to 90% of the portion of the employee\u2019s average weekly wage that is equal to or less than 50% of the state average weekly wage and 66% of the portion of the employee\u2019s average weekly wage that is more than 50% of the state average weekly wage, all up to a maximum weekly benefit equal to the state average weekly wage.<\/p>\n Household employers must register with the Maine Leave Contributions Portal to make payments.<\/p>\n More information on Maine\u2019s Paid Family and Medical Leave<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”other regs ” module_id=”other” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#212492″ header_3_text_color=”#666666″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#666666″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Maine state law requires household employers to pay their workers, who leave employment in full, no later than the next established payday. In addition, the law provides that \u201cwhenever the terms of employment or the employer\u2019s established practice include provisions for paid vacations, vacation pay on cessation of employment has the same status as wages earned.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”helpful links section ” module_id=”helpful” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#212492″ header_3_text_color=”#666666″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#666666″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”Federal Regulations” module_id=”federalregulations” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#212492″ header_3_text_color=”#666666″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#666666″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” z_index_tablet=”500″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” global_module=”41586″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n All household employers need to follow certain federal regulations, including:<\/p>\n Social Security and Medicare taxes are commonly referred to as FICA taxes.<\/p>\n If you pay cash wages of $3,000 or more to any household employee in 2026 (or paid a domestic worker $2,800 or more in 2025), you must withhold and pay FICA taxes. FICA taxes are 15.3 percent of cash wages.<\/p>\n As an employer, you pay 7.65 percent (6.2 percent for Social Security and 1.45 percent for Medicare).<\/p>\n Your employee’s share is also 7.65 percent, which you may withhold from their wages or pay yourself.<\/p>\n You don’t withhold or owe FICA taxes on wages you pay to your spouse, child under the age of 21, parent, or any employee under 18 at any time during the calendar year.<\/p>\n If you pay a household employee total cash wages of $1,000 or more in any calendar quarter, you’ll owe federal unemployment tax. This is an employer-only tax. FUTA is 6% of cash wages on the first $7,000 of wages paid to an employee.<\/p>\n If your employee uses their own car in the course of their work, you can reimburse them for mileage. For 2026, the IRS has set the optional standard mileage rate at 72.5 cents per mile driven. Paying mileage is not mandatory in most states, and you can reimburse your employee at a different rate. However, if mileage costs cause your employee to fall below the minimum wage, you must reimburse them for mileage.<\/p>\n Household employers can remit taxes, including FICA, employee income, and federal unemployment, quarterly using Form 1040-ES<\/a>. If a household employer does not remit their taxes quarterly, the entire amount will be due when they file their personal tax return. This could cause an underpayment penalty.<\/p>\n By January 31, household employers must provide Form W-2<\/a> to their employees and submit Form W-3<\/a> and Copy A of Form W-2 to the Social Security Administration. Then, a household employer must file Schedule H<\/a> with their personal tax return. Learn more: How to File Schedule H<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” admin_label=”2025 Blue Call to Action – HH Payroll” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” background_color=”#438dd8″ custom_padding=”10px||10px||true|false” background_last_edited=”on|desktop” background_color_gradient_direction_tablet=”180deg” global_module=”40548″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-36fd78a7-34bc-404d-873c-dafa34efaae5%22:%91%22colorStart%22%93,%22#1d3557%22:%91%22background_color_gradient_stops%22%93}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Questions? Get Help with Household Payroll” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Montserrat|Montserrat_weight|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font_size=”32px” title_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” title_font_size_tablet=”28px” title_font_size_phone=”20px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” text_font=”Lato|Lato_weight|||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.75em” link_font=”||||on||||” link_text_color=”#FFFFFF” quote_font=”Montserrat|Montserrat_weight|||||||” quote_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font=”Montserrat|Montserrat_weight|||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”72px” header_line_height=”1.15em” header_2_font=”Montserrat|Montserrat_weight|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|Montserrat_weight|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_3_font_size=”32px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” header_4_font=”Montserrat|Montserrat_weight|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_4_font_size=”24px” header_4_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat|Montserrat_weight|||||||” header_5_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_5_font_size=”18px” header_5_line_height=”1.4em” header_6_font=”Montserrat|Montserrat_weight|||||||” header_6_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_6_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”40px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_font_size_tablet=”15px” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_2_font_size_phone=”20px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”22px” header_3_font_size_phone=”17px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_4_font_size_phone=”15px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” header_5_font_size_tablet=”15px” header_5_font_size_phone=”14px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_6_font_size_tablet=”13px” header_6_font_size_phone=”13px” header_6_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A household payroll expert can answer questions you have about your own situation.<\/p>\n Call or chat with us during business hours, or schedule a free consultation at your convenience.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/gtm.com\/household\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/NeedHelp-illustration.png” title_text=”NeedHelp-illustration” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”16px” header_2_text_color=”#666666″ header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am – 8pm, ET<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/outlook.office.com\/book\/GTMPayrollServicesHouseholdPayrollandTaxConsultation@gtm.com\/” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Schedule a Free Consultation” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”consultatio button” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#1d3557″ button_bg_color=”#FFFFFF” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”100px” button_font=”Lato|700|||||||” button_icon=”||fa||400″ button_icon_placement=”left” button_on_hover=”off” custom_margin=”48px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”12px|15px|12px|30px|true|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/alive5.com\/7DWXAu5″ url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Chat During Business Hours” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”chat Button” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#1d3557″ button_bg_color=”#FFFFFF” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”100px” button_font=”Lato|700|||||||” button_icon=”w||divi||400″ button_icon_placement=”left” button_on_hover=”off” custom_padding=”12px|18px|12px|36px|true|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" At a Glance Minimum Wage Overtime Pay Rules State Unemployment Tax & Rate Workers\u2019 Compensation Insurance Disability Benefits Insurance Domestic Workers\u2019 Bill of Rights Paid Leave Laws Other State Regulations Helpful Links Federal Regulations Labor Law Compliance Hiring & Managing Employees Costs & Employee Benefits Payroll & Taxes Nanny Tax Calculator Complete Guide to Household […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Here are the laws affecting household employment in Maine.<\/p> Minimum Wage<\/strong><\/p> Workers' Compensation Requirements<\/strong><\/p> Household employers in Maine are not required to have a workers' compensation policy. However, we strongly recommend obtaining a policy to protect both you and your employee(s).<\/p> Overtime Rules<\/strong><\/p> Hourly employees in Maine are entitled to a special overtime pay rate of at least 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for all overtime worked, if they work over 40 hours in a week.\u00a0Overtime pay is not required for live-in employees.<\/p> New Employer SUI Rate<\/strong><\/p> This is the State Unemployment Insurance tax rate that all employers pay when they first become employers. Those with previous employees may be subject to a different rate.<\/p> Taxable Wage Base<\/strong><\/p> Also called\u00a0the Social Security Wage Base, this is the maximum income amount for\u00a0which employees must pay Social Security taxes. Employers will usually handle this calculation and withhold the correct taxes from each paycheck, but employees are\u00a0still responsible for reporting the tax.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"folder":[604],"class_list":["post-11153","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
\n
Nanny Taxes At a Glance<\/h4>\n
Minimum Wage<\/h2>\n
\n
Overtime Pay Rules<\/h2>\n
State Unemployment Tax & Rate<\/h2>\n
Workers\u2019 Compensation Insurance<\/h2>\n
Disability Benefits Insurance<\/h2>\n
Domestic Workers\u2019 Bill of Rights<\/h2>\n
Paid Leave Laws<\/h2>\n
Paid Family and Medical Leave<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
Other State Regulations<\/h2>\n
Final Pay<\/h3>\n
Helpful Links for Nanny Taxes in Maine<\/h2>\n
\n
Federal Regulations<\/h2>\n
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Classification Guidelines<\/h3>\n
\n
FICA Taxes<\/h3>\n
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)<\/h3>\n
Mileage Reimbursement<\/h3>\n
Remitting Taxes Quarterly<\/h3>\n
Year-End Requirements<\/h3>\n
Call Toll Free: 800-929-9213<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"maine\"](\"https:\/\/gtm.com\/household\/wp-content\/uploads\/400px-Flag-map_of_Maine.svg_-200x300.png\")
Household employers must comply with all tax and wage laws that affect nannies and other domestic workers. While federal laws cover employers in all states, there are state-specific and city-specific rules and regulations that employers must also abide by.<\/p>