Nanny payroll—it’s care work, taken care of.

With our partner Poppins Payroll, we’re here to handle everything you need to take care of your household staff—from taxes and compliance to paperwork and PTO. You can save time, save the hassle, and rest easy knowing the people who matter most to your family are covered.

Get started with Poppins Payroll

More time for what matters most.

Your time is valuable. Ditch the paperwork, save hours on admin each month—and spend more time with the people you love.

Compliance, off your plate.

Forget under the table or off the books. We’ll keep you compliant with federal, state, and local laws while keeping you and your workers protected.

Set it and forget it.

Set up your nanny payroll service in just 10 minutes. You provide some basic info, and we’ll handle the rest. Easy, breezy, lemon squeezy.

Hands-free nanny payroll

Take household payroll off your to-do list.

With Poppins nanny payroll services, we take care of all the complex start-up and registration paperwork on your behalf. Choose to pay via direct deposit or cut a check if you prefer, and then it’s payroll on autopilot. We calculate, file, and pay federal, state, and local taxes each quarter, and you can kick back and relax knowing accuracy is guaranteed.

Compliance done right

You work hard enough. Let us handle the tough stuff.

The IRS estimates it takes 60 hours to manage household payroll compliance each year. But with fully automated everything, you can take back your time and say farewell to the filing cabinet. No more W-3s, W-4s, estimated taxes, and Schedule H’s. Paystubs and tax forms are securely stored in your dashboard, and we stay on top of complex compliance changes like overtime and minimum wage so you don’t have to.

Benefits for Careworkers

Take care of your staff as well as they take care of you.

Nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers keep your family running. Paying them above the board means giving them access to unemployment and disability insurance while helping them build their employment and credit history. We also make it easy to set up and track PTO and sick leave while keeping you compliant. For just one flat monthly fee, you can save time, save headaches, and take care of the people who matter most to your family. What’s not to love?

How do I pay my nanny legally?

The easiest way to pay your nanny, caregiver, or other household employee is using a household employee payroll service like Poppins Payroll. They’ll handle all the deductions, file all the necessary tax forms, and give you peace of mind it’s done right. All you have to do is provide some basic information, add your household employee’s salary or hours, and they’ll handle the rest.

Do I have to pay taxes for my nanny?

If you pay your nanny more than $2,600 per year, you are required to pay Medicare and social security taxes for your nanny or any household employees. If you pay them more than $1,000 per quarter, you may also be responsible for paying federal unemployment taxes. Luckily, Poppins Payroll will calculate, file, and pay all federal, state, and local taxes on your behalf.

Is my nanny an independent contractor?

No. Because you decide the workload, hours, and responsibilities of your household employees, the IRS considers you an employer. Household employees are treated differently than regular employees or independent contractors by the IRS.

What is the nanny tax?

The nanny tax was created specifically for household employees like nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers. You can expect to pay around 10% of what you pay your household employees in taxes, and your employee will be responsible for their share in addition to that. You aren’t required to withhold their share of taxes, but they can opt into this using form W-4.

Are there any tax breaks for nanny employers?

You bet! Most families can receive a 20% tax break up to the first $3,000 they spend on care-related expenses for one child, or $6,000 of care-related expenses if you have two or more children. This means a tax credit of up to $1,200.

In addition, check with your employer about a Dependent Care FSA. This is a type of pre-tax flexible spending account that can be used for up to $5,000 in care-related expenses.

What’s the best nanny payroll service?

Poppins Payroll is dedicated 100% to household payroll services, so you know they’re done right. While other services may calculate taxes and guide you on what forms to fill out, it’s still up to you to file and pay them. With Poppins Payroll, they handle everything—from setting up your Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) to calculating, paying, and filing all federal, state, and local taxes every quarter.

What forms does my nanny need to fill out?

To get your account up and running, your household employees will need to fill out forms I-9 and W-4. The first confirms that they can legally work in the US, and the second sets up their tax withholding preferences. From your end, you need to register your “business” with a federal EIN, and submit new hire forms that vary depending on your state. But don’t worry. Poppins Payroll will handle all of that for you.

Do I need a written contract with my nanny?

Some states, like California, DC, Maryland, and New York require some form of written contract with your household employee. But even if it’s not required in your state, it’s still a good idea to have a contract. Contracts keep both you and your workers protected and should spell out obligations from both sides including hours, compensation, duties, benefits, and PTO. You can find sample contracts for nannies and caregivers through our partner, Poppins Payroll.