The form of payment has a lot to do with taxes, if both parties are not on the same page about the issue.

Anonymous wrote:So just to make sure, if you are using a CC to accept payment- then you and the folks you work for are reporting the income, right? That would be my only hesitation, especially if its for a sitting gig. Depending on how much and often you sit- you all could be hit with tax issues at the years end.

Well, if you are concerned about taxes, you should be concerned about it no matter what, even if paying in cash. The form of payment has nothing to do with the taxes itself, unless you are trying to get out of paying them and don't want a paper trail.

So just to make sure, if you are using a CC to accept payment- then you and the folks you work for are reporting the income, right? That would be my only hesitation, especially if its for a sitting gig. Depending on how much and often you sit- you all could be hit with tax issues at the years end.

I think it's a great idea.

My family is too cheap to set up direct deposit for me and I can just deposit my checks through my phone. Check if your bank has an app

I don't see a downside here. I usually have cash on hand but if I didn't, it would be nice to have this option.

You guys are worried about $1.50?? Yikes.

Anonymous wrote:HELL NO

They take money out

The parents can take 5 mins to stop at the ATM

Not the OP, but if I were to use this method, I'd just tell parents there is a surcharge if they choose to use credit. 2.5% of $50 (a pretty standard amount for a night of sitting) is only $1.25, I'm guessing many parents wouldn't mind that slight increase for the convenience. And if they do, then you're right, they can take the 5 min to stop at the ATM.

HELL NO

They take money out

The parents can take 5 mins to stop at the ATM

The credit card reader I have for my small business costs my 2.5% of the payment. Make sure you realize what it will cost you and if you are willing to accept that.

Urban Sitter has this feature for the people that use their services. Parents can pay with a debit/credit and it can go directly to the sitters bank account etc. The only thing I don't like about that is it can take a day or 2 for payment to go through. I like to get my money right away.

Good idea. How much fires it coast for you to use it? I bet there would be parents interested in taking up a grew extra airline miles or whatever.

Wish more people would answer this!

Nanny here, that's smart!

Is this something MBs would be interested in? I recently got a Square card reader for my iPhone for other business transactions I have, but I wondered if this is something I should advertise to parents as well. I have had weekend sitting jobs where parents forgot to go to the ATM and have to pay me by check which tends to be a bit of an inconvenience for me as I work full time and have a tough time making it to the bank sometimes.

MBs, would like to have the option to pay your babysitter by credit/debit card?

Nannies/Sitters, would you use this?