Please help me with Self Employment Babysitter Tax question

[Anonymous]

Hello Nannies. I need your expertise in answering tax questions as I want to do everything on the books and I’m in a sticky situation as my husband is very financially abusive and controlling and I need to get my money sorted out and save it for me to one day leave. I have to figure this out on my own. I have researched for a couple of weeks at IRS website and other sites and still a bit confused as to whether a babysitter qualifies as self employed.

I have two PT babysitting jobs that always paid with W2 so this is a new experience for me : Now I have another PT for two weekdays per week that I need very much but the boss said he will pay me full amount by check so I need to take care of the taxes myself. I understand that this way I am paying more in taxes bc he is not paying his share of he paid me with a W2, and it’s ok I’m ok with that because I really need the extra money even if less than I deserve. My question is: can I file as SELF EMPLOYED as a babysitter working PT twice a week? Maybe this doesn’t meet the “independent contractor” definition but I think at least it meets the “being in business for myself” category under self employed as a “gig worker” or “part time business” categories.

Does anyone have personal experience to confirm I am indeed self employed and can file the taxes myself to keep this job on the books? Thank you for any advice I’m very worried and anxious about this.

[Anonymous]

Nannie’s need to be paid on the books. You’re a household employer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nannie’s need to be paid on the books. You’re a household employer

This is OP - apologies if this is a dumb question but aren’t I remedying the issue of employer’s payment off the books by presenting it as my earned income and then paying the required taxes? Does my filing of the wages and tax payment’s not remedy the original payment off the books on his (my boss’) part?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello Nannies. I need your expertise in answering tax questions as I want to do everything on the books and I’m in a sticky situation as my husband is very financially abusive and controlling and I need to get my money sorted out and save it for me to one day leave. I have to figure this out on my own. I have researched for a couple of weeks at IRS website and other sites and still a bit confused as to whether a babysitter qualifies as self employed.

I have two PT babysitting jobs that always paid with W2 so this is a new experience for me : Now I have another PT for two weekdays per week that I need very much but the boss said he will pay me full amount by check so I need to take care of the taxes myself. I understand that this way I am paying more in taxes bc he is not paying his share of he paid me with a W2, and it’s ok I’m ok with that because I really need the extra money even if less than I deserve. My question is: can I file as SELF EMPLOYED as a babysitter working PT twice a week? Maybe this doesn’t meet the “independent contractor” definition but I think at least it meets the “being in business for myself” category under self employed as a “gig worker” or “part time business” categories.

Does anyone have personal experience to confirm I am indeed self employed and can file the taxes myself to keep this job on the books? Thank you for any advice I’m very worried and anxious about this.

He has to withhold fed. and state taxes and FICA for a domestic rnploer. Stop selling yourself short and settling for less. So, if you file jointly with your DH, how are your going hide your income?

[Anonymous]

Or he could just pay you cash for the two days.

[Anonymous]

When you have multiple clients, that’s one of the independent contractor requirements, like cleaning ladies. Most people in your situation would probably just get paid daily in cash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nannie’s need to be paid on the books. You’re a household employer

This is OP - apologies if this is a dumb question but aren’t I remedying the issue of employer’s payment off the books by presenting it as my earned income and then paying the required taxes? Does my filing of the wages and tax payment’s not remedy the original payment off the books on his (my boss’) part?

If you file and pay, then it is on the books. You need to look up “estimated tax withholding payments” and submit quarterly estimates. If your other employers withhold, then you are ok. You’ll just want to pay estimated taxes on the 2 day/week income. The math can be tricky, but expect to pay anywhere from 20-40% of your income to taxes. If you underpay the fines are higher.

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employed-individuals-tax-center