How risky is to to pay off the books?
![[Post New]](/nanny-forum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
To pay cash to an undocumented nanny?
I am not going to do it - I am just curious. DH is in the Military, btw. |
Anonymous
| Risky and illegal. |
Anonymous
If he’s in the military? Very risky, because it’s illegal. Do you live on base, in off base housing or use the stipend? Any of those could mean more oversight. |
Anonymous
| Not at all risky if you're not in public office or in any way famous or going to become either one of those. |
Anonymous
Hypothetically, let's say he was just a reservist and served his monthly weekend duty about 100 miles from home (but he was am officer)? |
Anonymous
| OP here. Look, I am hypothetically desperate! I have a newborn and one in preK who is out of school at 3. I am not trying to cheat anyone but... I just want a loving, responsive presence to keep my kids safe. |
Anonymous
If you’re not on base, look into a live-in nanny. If you are on base, have your dh check into whether you could have a live-in. |
Anonymous
|
My DH is in the military. We pay legally because I feel strongly about it and have zero tolerance to risk his top secret clearance.
However, we know plenty of people who pay illegally; one is flying in a series of Americans to stay with her in Germany to get around not only US employment law but German employment law. So, no, no one gets caught unless your "loving, responsive" nanny suddenly gets mad and sues you. |
Anonymous
|
So, are you interested in undocumented nanny because you were trying to hire someone and the one you happen to love is undocumented, or you can't afford to pay regular nanny rate + taxes?
If the latter, I would try to look into more affordable child care options (eg nanny share for newborn, after school option for older one, different school for the older one that has extended care, nanny with less experience, etc.). Hiring an undocumented person "to save money" feels to me like taking advantage of them (However, another person might argue that you are growing a lifeline to them, so people feel differently). If the former, and especially DH is military, I'd still be careful. If you live in DC, there will be tons of potential jobs later that might require clearance, and you would be worried that government will "find out and DH might lose his job". Generally, you sleep better at night when you don't break the law. Now, probability that it will cause you issues is very-very small, but if it does it might be large (e.g. Pay all outstanding taxes plus penalties, inability to pursue career in particular field or with particular organization). |
Anonymous
| Her husband is a reservist. He probably doesn't have clearance, and isn't in line for most military jobs. If he plans to go active in any scenario other than being called up, then maybe you can worry. |
Anonymous
| It’s not that risky, honestly. Treat her well and don’t give her any reason to be mad and want revenge; but if she’s illegals he probably wouldn’t do anything to draw attention to herself anyway. Just keep in mind you can’t claim whatever that tax credit is people get for childcare costs and don’t expect her to pony up her ssn so you can 1099 her. Either do it all illegally where you share the risks and benefits or do it all legally. |
Anonymous
Someone who is willing to come here and work "undocumented" is a criminal. They have already shown they are ok with breaking the law. What other laws will they be ok with breaking? Maybe they are ok with using heroin? Maybe they are ok with beating your child? Maybe they are ok with child porn? Maybe they are ok with stealing your things? Why not? They have already proven that they do not respect the law. |
Anonymous
Oh, brother... |
Anonymous
What about the people like OP who hire them? They are US citizens and breaking the law. Should we throw them in jail and take away their kids? |
Anonymous
Yes |