Tax & Compliance Resources

Curated starting points for families who employ a nanny — IRS forms, state portals, and full-service payroll providers when you're ready to outgrow records-only tracking.

NannyTime^™ is a tracking tool — not a tax preparer.

We help you keep clean records of hours, mileage, and gross pay. For filing taxes, withholding, or anything that requires advice specific to your situation, please consult a CPA or use a full-service payroll provider listed below.

IRS Forms & Guides

Federal forms most household employers will need to know.

IRS Publication 926 — Household Employer's Tax Guide

The single best starting point. Covers who is a household employee, employment taxes, and how to file.

Schedule H (Form 1040) — Household Employment Taxes

Filed with your annual personal tax return to report Social Security, Medicare, and federal unemployment taxes for your household employee.

Form W-2 — Wage and Tax Statement

You must give your nanny a W-2 by January 31 each year (and file it with the SSA).

Form W-4 — Employee's Withholding Certificate

Your nanny completes this so you know how much federal income tax (if any) to withhold from each paycheck.

Form 1040-ES — Estimated Tax for Individuals

Used to make quarterly estimated payments toward the household employment taxes you'll owe at year-end.

Form SS-4 — Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

You'll need an EIN before you can issue a W-2. It's free and takes minutes online.

State Withholding & Unemployment

State income tax and SUI rules vary. Start here to find your state's portal.

Find your state's tax agency (IRS directory)

State income tax withholding rules vary. Use this directory to find your state's tax agency.

State unemployment insurance (SUI) registration

Most states require household employers to register for state unemployment insurance and pay quarterly.

Utah — Taxpayer Access Point (TAP)

Utah employers register and remit state withholding here. (Listed because our pilot families are local — your state portal will be similar.)

Full-Service Payroll Providers

When you'd rather not file paperwork yourself — these companies handle it end-to-end.

HomePay (by Care.com)

Full-service nanny payroll: tax registration, withholding, quarterly filings, and year-end W-2.

Poppins Payroll

Flat-rate nanny payroll service — handles every tax form so you don't have to.

GTM Payroll Services

Long-running household payroll provider with insurance and benefits add-ons.

NannyChex (by HWS)

Nanny-specific payroll and tax filing for household employers.

Workers' Comp & Domestic Worker Rights

State-level protections you should know about as a household employer.

State workers' compensation requirements

Many states require workers' comp coverage for household employees. Check your state's labor department.

Domestic worker bills of rights (state-by-state)

Several states require written contracts, paid time off, or other protections for domestic workers.

How NannyTime^™ fits in

✓Hours, gross pay & mileage — accurately tracked each pay period.
✓Pay Period Summary PDFs — clean, printable records you can hand to your CPA or upload to your payroll service.
✓Annual Summary PDFs — a one-page year-in-review ready for tax time.
✗We don't calculate withholding, file forms, or provide tax advice — that's what payroll services and CPAs are for.

External links open in a new tab. NannyTime^™ is not affiliated with the IRS, any state agency, or any payroll provider listed. Information is provided as a starting point and is not tax or legal advice.