at what point is someone a " pt nanny" and not just a "sitter"

[Anonymous]

for purposes of paying taxes and making it legal.

I am a newly single mom, zero family around and not much help from dad to be expected. I am going to need to get a part time someone to pick up my 7 year old from school, take her to ballet, then home, homework, dinner and bed. I sometimes don't get home until 8-9 p.m., which sucks now that her dad isn't going to be around. I need to hire someone responsible who wants to essentially be a very important person in my kid's life. I can have family come out once in a while. And, I am willing to pay a minimum of say, 25 hours a week so that the person has a guaranteed income even if my family is here or work is not too crazy. I would look for a new job, but it would be bad professionally, at least for another year or so. Then, I may need to make a change, if I can.

Is this person an employee and I need to pay taxes and all the stuff that goes with having an employee? I can pay the person a lot more if I don't have to do all that, but I want everything to be legal.

[Anonymous]

Just pay in cash, OP. It is easier to find someone for this most requested time slot if you pay in cash and no one is ever going to come after you.

[Anonymous]

Pay cash. And just from experience skip the idea that you are going to get a reliable college student - they flake after every semester.

[Anonymous]

Technically, you need to pay taxes on any employee that earns more than $1900 a year. You also need to have worker’s compensation insurance in most states. If you are not doing that, you are paying under the table. We always use a payroll service to make things easier on us.

[Anonymous]

Nothing is going to happen if you pay in cash. It’s a babysitter!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Technically, you need to pay taxes on any employee that earns more than $1900 a year. You also need to have worker’s compensation insurance in most states. If you are not doing that, you are paying under the table. We always use a payroll service to make things easier on us.

For 2018, the threshold is $2100 for the year. Once you cross that, you should be reporting income and paying taxes.

[Anonymous]

You are right - for such part time hours per week, it will be much easier for you if you just pay her in ca$h.
No personal check!

A lot of Nannies + Sitters wouldn’t want their payment taxed for less than full time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are right - for such part time hours per week, it will be much easier for you if you just pay her in ca$h.
No personal check!

A lot of Nannies + Sitters wouldn’t want their payment taxed for less than full time.

They may not want their pay taxed, but OP says she wants to do it legally, and not reporting it and taxing it is indeed against the law. People obviously do it all the time and rarely get caught, but that doesn't make it any more legal.

But yes, if you are not paying legally, you shouldn't use a personal check and you should also try to avoid cash withdrawals that are for the same amount at the same time each week, since both create a paper trail.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Because if my work, I must be legal. Not an option to do otherwise. This will cost me more than $2100 a year. At best I can do a combination, payroll with some of the time in cash, but even that is pushing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Because if my work, I must be legal. Not an option to do otherwise. This will cost me more than $2100 a year. At best I can do a combination, payroll with some of the time in cash, but even that is pushing it.

Why would you not pay fully legally if paying legally? That makes no sense. Give her her bonuses in cash, but do payroll legally.

[Anonymous]

Yes, like one poster mentioned - Do not leave any paper trail behind if you pay in ca$h.

No personal checks or regular bank withdrawals.

[Anonymous]

Pt Nanny

On a side note, her Dad is leaving, you are at work until after she is in bed 5 nights a week and you are bringing a new person into her life...............One of you needs to step up and be a parent.

[Anonymous]

IMO a sitter is an occasional care giver. A PT Nanny is someone who is regularly taking care of your child. In your case, you are describing more than the 25 hours you mention but either way I would still describe that as a PT Nanny Plus, she's driving and doing dinner and bed time. SO, if you want to be legal, especially with your job, you will have to pay taxes and all that stuff.

I'm also very sorry that your X is not stepping up to help. That's a real shame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Is this person an employee and I need to pay taxes and all the stuff that goes with having an employee?

Well obviously yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Give her her bonuses in cash, but do payroll legally.

Horrendous advice. Follow the law, sometimes.