Nanny wants to be paid part on books and part off books?

[Anonymous]

We interviewed a nanny who we really like. She said she would like to be paid part on books and part off books. Her former employers have done this. She is asking for $750/week. How does part on and part off books work? So would we pay a portion of her pay on the books and make up for it with cash to equal $750/week??

[Anonymous]

Yup. You got it.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't agree to this (and in any event would be certain that the "on the books" amount is safely above minimum wage) but I would consider cash for stuff employers are allowed to pay for like cell phone bill (since I expect my nanny to have a cell phone) etc.

[Anonymous]

She wants minimum wage or something similar on the books with taxes etc and ther rest in cash. I came across a bunch of nannies who wanted this. Didn't hire any of them.
I think it puts you under even more risk then if it was all unde the table. This way you have to do the employer if number and withhold federal and state and unemployment taxes and file all that and then get cash from your bank and give it to her. Think about it carefully before you do it.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do this.

We pay legally because it's the right thing to do (including for the employee, for whom future Social Security amounts will depend on wages paid into the system.)

Also, it sound like a giant pain to worry about logistically and legally.

It would be a deal breaker for me.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it because a nanny who knows enough to game the system this way might also decide to game it in other ways, to your disadvantage. For example, if you fire her and she files for unemployment, she might claim the higher wage, and then you have a problem.

[Anonymous]

Run.

Away.

Quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't do this.

We pay legally because it's the right thing to do (including for the employee, for whom future Social Security amounts will depend on wages paid into the system.)

Also, it sound like a giant pain to worry about logistically and legally.

It would be a deal breaker for me.

+1 She's dishonest.

[Anonymous]

I always assume people who do this are doing it so.they'll qualify for government assistance like food stamps and higher health care subsidies, or possibly even Medicare.

[Anonymous]

*Medicaid

[Anonymous]

Ive thought of asking for this. My health insurance premium is crushing me.