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=”4.27.4″ _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=”4.27.4″ _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 need to comply with tax, wage, and labor laws that affect nannies, in-home senior caregivers, and other household employees. While federal laws cover employers in all states, there are also state- and city-specific regulations that employers must follow.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”at a glance Code” module_id=”glance” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _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=\"40970 \"][\/et_pb_section][\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”minimum wage ” module_id=”minimum” _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″ hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Household employees must be paid at least the highest of the federal, state, or applicable local minimum wage rates. In Rhode Island, the state rate of $15\/hour applies. Recent legislation removed a provision that classified \u201cany individual employed in domestic service or in or about a private home\u201d as not an employee for the purposes of Rhode Island\u2019s minimum wage laws. Previously, Rhode Island domestic workers were only guaranteed the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.<\/p>\n The state’s minimum wage will increase to $16\/hour on January 1, 2026, and again to $17\/hour on January 1, 2027.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”overtime ” module_id=”overtime” _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 Household employees in Rhode Island 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=”4.27.4″ _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 In Rhode Island, the new employer SUI (state unemployment insurance) rate is 1.00 percent on each employee\u2019s first $29,800 of wages. 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=”4.27.4″ _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 Household employers in Rhode Island are not required to have workers\u2019 compensation coverage for full- or part-time employees. However, you can choose a voluntary policy to protect you and your employee.\u00a0Get 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=”4.27.4″ _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 Rhode Island is one of five states that have a disability insurance (TDI) tax paid by employees. This program provides short-term benefits to employees who cannot work due to a non-work-related injury or illness. Employers must withhold this tax from their employee\u2019s pay and remit quarterly with their unemployment and job development taxes. The TDI tax rate is 1.3 percent on the first $89,200 in wages for each employee.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”domestic workers bill of rights ” module_id=”domestic” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _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 The state has no domestic workers’ bill of rights.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”paid leave ” module_id=”paidleave” _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 Under Rhode Island\u2019s\u00a0Healthy and Safe Families Workplace Act<\/a>, employees have the right to take time off to care for themselves when they are too sick to work, are injured, or have a routine medical appointment. They may also use earned leave to deal with the impact of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. In addition, earned leave may be used to assist their child, spouse, domestic partner, or other household members for the same purposes. While employers with fewer than 18 workers \u2013 which would include household employers \u2013 must provide sick and safe leave time, it does not need to be paid. Covered employees may take up to 40 hours of leave. Learn more about the\u00a0Healthy and Safe Families Workplace Act<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”40px” admin_label=”other regs ” module_id=”other” _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″ hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Household employers also pay an assessment of 0.21 percent (called the Job Development Fund tax) to support the Rhode Island Human Resource Investment Council (HRIC), which funds projects designed to improve and upgrade the skills of the existing workforce. Your unemployment tax rate is reduced annually by 0.21 percent to ensure that the program doesn\u2019t result in a tax increase.<\/p>\n The Payment of Wages Act imposes criminal penalties on employers for knowing and willful wage and hour violations. If an employer fails to pay wages owed and\/or vacation pay to any eligible employee who separates from employment, the employer may face a fine of up to $5,000. Criminal penalties can also be imposed if an employer fails to pay the full monetary amount lawfully owed to an employee on the next regular payday.<\/p>\n Also, the act penalizes employers that misclassify workers as independent contractors. Civil penalties for a first offense can range from $1,500 to $3,000 for each misclassified employee. Penalties can increase to $5,000 for each subsequent misclassified employee. As a reminder, nannies, in-home senior caregivers, housekeepers, and others are considered household employees, not independent contractors.<\/p>\n Beginning January 1, 2026, employers must provide all new hires with a written notice (in English) that includes:<\/p>\n The notice must be signed by the employee, and a copy must be retained by the employer.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Wage Act applies to all employers, regardless of size or number of employees.<\/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=”4.27.4″ _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. If you pay cash wages of $2,800 or more to any household employee in 2025 (or paid a domestic worker $2,700 or more in 2024), you must withhold and pay FICA taxes. FICA taxes are 15.3 percent of cash wages. As an employer, you pay 7.65 percent (6.2 percent for Social Security and 1.45 percent for Medicare). Your employee’s share is also 7.65 percent, which you can withhold from their wages or choose to pay yourself. 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 six percent of cash wages on the first $7,000 you pay an employee.<\/p>\n If your employee uses their own car in the course of their work, you can reimburse them for mileage. For 2025, the IRS has set the optional standard mileage rate at 70 cents per mile driven. Paying mileage is not mandatory in most states, and you can reimburse your employee at a different rate. However, if the cost of mileage causes your employee to fall below minimum wage, then you need to reimburse them for mileage.<\/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” _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 Rhode Island.<\/p> Minimum Wage<\/strong><\/p> Workers' Compensation Requirements<\/strong><\/p> Household employers in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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.<\/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>\n
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Nanny Taxes At a Glance<\/h4>\n
Minimum Wage<\/h2>\n
Overtime Pay Rules<\/h2>\n
State Unemployment Tax & Rate<\/h2>\n
Workers\u2019 Compensation Insurance<\/h2>\n
Disability Benefits Insurance<\/h2>\n
Temporary Disability Insurance Tax<\/h3>\n
Domestic Workers\u2019 Bill of Rights<\/h2>\n
Paid Leave Laws<\/h2>\n
Other State Regulations<\/h2>\n
Job Development Tax Fund<\/h3>\n
Rhode Island Payment of Wages Act<\/h3>\n
\n
Helpful Links for Nanny Taxes in Rhode Island<\/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
Call Toll Free: 800-929-9213<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Rhode](\"https:\/\/gtm.com\/household\/wp-content\/uploads\/396px-Flag-map_of_Rhode_Island.svg_-198x300.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>