Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope you get caught and have to pay back all the taxes you owe, OP. And then are deemed ineligible for all of the services that your tax dollars should have been going towards. Disgusting and greedy.

You're confused. The employers will have to pay up. IRS knows nannies have no money, but YOU do.

No, you are confused. The nanny is the one who owes the taxes on their income. The IRS will go after an employer for their share, but nanny would be on the hook for all their own taxes. I know a nanny who owes the IRS over 10k right now.

Anonymous wrote:I hope you get caught and have to pay back all the taxes you owe, OP. And then are deemed ineligible for all of the services that your tax dollars should have been going towards. Disgusting and greedy.

You're confused. The employers will have to pay up. IRS knows nannies have no money, but YOU do.

I hope you get caught and have to pay back all the taxes you owe, OP. And then are deemed ineligible for all of the services that your tax dollars should have been going towards. Disgusting and greedy.

Anonymous wrote:You have ALOT more protection when you're paid on the book verses under the tables. The pros of being paid legally far outweigh under the table.

However, if you have a part-time nanny/sitter job (say, no more than 10 hours each week..) then I think that's somewhat different. But if you're working 25+ hours per week under the table then you have no protection, no proof, no retirement (for later life), you can't get TDI/Unemployment if you need it due to being let go, etc.

I've seen many under the table nannies post on nanny sites (both DCUM and ISYN). They have ranted about being taken advantage of, not getting overtime, unfair duties, not being paid for gas mileage, being let go without warning, etc and there's nothing they can do about it.

Even if a nanny demands legal payment, a live-in can still be thrown on the street without any notice. Legally.

She might also be forced to perform non-nanny work. Legally.

Because she's "at will" without any protections, she can be fired (OR QUIT) withOUT any notice, regardless of what might be written in a so-called agreement.

You have ALOT more protection when you're paid on the book verses under the tables. The pros of being paid legally far outweigh under the table.

However, if you have a part-time nanny/sitter job (say, no more than 10 hours each week..) then I think that's somewhat different. But if you're working 25+ hours per week under the table then you have no protection, no proof, no retirement (for later life), you can't get TDI/Unemployment if you need it due to being let go, etc.

I've seen many under the table nannies post on nanny sites (both DCUM and ISYN). They have ranted about being taken advantage of, not getting overtime, unfair duties, not being paid for gas mileage, being let go without warning, etc and there's nothing they can do about it.

I'm paid on the books. I make it clear from the beginning that I need to have everything on the books. I'm about a year way from citizenship, and don't want any trouble. I also have to file my taxes which is easier with a W2.
I don't think there are any benefits by being paid under the table. Do you put taxes from what you make?

It seems that many nannies in the DC area are paid as hourly employees and have their taxes taken out, reported, etc. It is less common in other areas of the country.

It's important for nannies and employers and expectations should be made clear in the interview process.

You need to pay in to social security or it will be a problem for you later. As PPs have mentioned, it's difficult to get a loan without proof of income.

Well the thing with being an IC is that it could be very temp work, like that one paycheck only. So some landlords won't accept it as proof of regular income, only as proof of what you have made (along with bank account records stating that you have funds to use if needed). They like to see a pay stub that shows you are currently employed and will most likely have that job to keep providing income to pay your rent.

Anonymous wrote:I get paid legally. I WAS an IC in the past, different profession. I never claimed everything I made. And my dad had to cosign on my apt, etc since I had no proof of income.

This poster says that as an IC, she had no proof of income. Didn't she file her taxes??

I am paid legally at my FT job.

I work another PT job as little as 2 to as many as 10 hours per week which is not reported. I've only been there two months and I haven't decided whether to stay long-term or not yet.

Don't be foolish. During the interview, make it clear to the parents that you want them to do everything legally, and pay their share of the taxes. There is absolutely NO REASON for you to expect anything less.

My current employers obviously had a friend or coworker tell them to try the "under the table" thing to save money, but I let them know that I had no interest in going to jail, and they decided to hire an agency to take care of all the paperwork.

I get paid legally. I WAS an IC in the past, different profession. I never claimed everything I made. And my dad had to cosign on my apt, etc since I had no proof of income.

OP, you are screwing yourself.

I am a nanny who is paid legally as a household employee. I pay my share of taxes as do my employers. I refuse to allow families to 1099 me because the law is very clear about nannies NOT being independent contractors.

As a nanny I insist on being paid legally for several reasons:
1. It's the law.
2. I want a record of my employment for purposes such as securing loans (like my recent auto loan).
3. It's less hassle to file for unemployment if I were to be let go.
4. I don't want to be responsible for the employer's share of taxes, which I would be if I were to allow a family to give me a 1099.
5. This is my job, and I am a professional. I want to be treated as such.
6. I've known individuals who have been audited by the IRS as many as 7 years after they stopped being paid in cash. Good luck ironing that one out.

FWIW I even report cash I receive from occasional babysitting jobs.

Hi all! I am a nanny who has always been paid under the table. I am looking for the pros and cons from other nannies about being paid as an employee and not 1099ed. Also, how many nannies are actually paid legally and not under the table. Thanks!