$900 dollars as a bonus? WOW can I work for you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Um, we give the bonus in cash.

Honestly, I suggest you slow down here. You're already going overboard by giving more than half a week's pay when she's worked for you for less than half a year. Now on top of that you ALSO want to give a physical gift? Dial it back a couple of notches here.

I disagree. My employers gave me a weeks bonus and a gift certificate for a full day at a very nice spa my first Christmas with them. I had been with them about 4 1/2 months at that point. 3 years later now and this is still the best job I've ever had!

Of COURSE you disagree that the nanny should be given less. Because you're a nanny. Hopefully this isn't the best job you've ever had only because they give you big holiday gifts.

Hopefully you aren't a business person because you'd be a disaster.

I think you need to hold back slightly. Not to be grim, but it has only been 4 months. (A honey moon period) Our first nanny was fantastic for the first 6 months and then.... Just give it time. If she is really that great, you will have other times to reward her as well.

I think you need to hold back slightly. Not to be grim, but it has only been 4 months. (A honey moon period) Our first nanny was fantastic for the first 6 months and then.... Just give it time. If she is really that great, you will have other times to reward her as well.

I've just chimed in a similar tread. I am surprised bonus is not part of the contract. Also surprised bonus is fixed, like one week of the pay.
As if everyone (especially first time parents) should know all this...

My employers are very big about paying ON the books, I still get my bonus in cash.

They also give me a small gift to open, nothing crazy maybe something in the $30-70 range. Sometimes its a few small things. The bonus is awesome, but the gifts come from the heart and are complimentary to me as an individual. It really makes me feel like they notice what I like, and I feel closer to them for it. This may or may not matter to you as an employer, but I have been with my family for just shy of 4 years.(they have always done Christmas this way) It is by far my best job, but not bc of the money or the gifts, but bc of the type of people they are and how much I feel valued.

While it may be illegal to pay a BONUS under the table, it would benefit her and be appreciated as a true gift if she could get it non-taxable. Right??

But I agree with the PP above.

Sure, she may be fantastic and all, but it seems like you want to give her the world.

Remember: You would be setting a bad precedent because she will come to expect more and more from you in the future.

If you can afford it, that is well and good.

Finding a good match for you as well as your kids is truly the best blessing ever.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is interesting. This is our first year with a nanny. I just assumed her bonus would be (and paid it) on the books. I'm surprised so many people do otherwise.

+1
Even more interesting are the people who give cash but then still report it on the books. We generally do direct deposit but I have written our nanny checks before for a few things and she just deposits from her phone. I think she would find me crazy if I handed her an envelope of cash, especially if I then told her we withheld taxes from it and it was on the books.

Bonuses don't have taxes withheld, they go in a separate box on the W2, and the nanny will take care of the taxes on it.

This is incorrect: bonuses paid to employees are considered taxable income and treated as wages by the IRS.

We give a holiday gift but not a bonus. It was agreed at time of contract. We do pay a generous salary though, and provide health insurance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is interesting. This is our first year with a nanny. I just assumed her bonus would be (and paid it) on the books. I'm surprised so many people do otherwise.

+1
Even more interesting are the people who give cash but then still report it on the books. We generally do direct deposit but I have written our nanny checks before for a few things and she just deposits from her phone. I think she would find me crazy if I handed her an envelope of cash, especially if I then told her we withheld taxes from it and it was on the books.

Bonuses don't have taxes withheld, they go in a separate box on the W2, and the nanny will take care of the taxes on it.

Anonymous wrote:This is interesting. This is our first year with a nanny. I just assumed her bonus would be (and paid it) on the books. I'm surprised so many people do otherwise.

+1
Even more interesting are the people who give cash but then still report it on the books. We generally do direct deposit but I have written our nanny checks before for a few things and she just deposits from her phone. I think she would find me crazy if I handed her an envelope of cash, especially if I then told her we withheld taxes from it and it was on the books.

This is interesting. This is our first year with a nanny. I just assumed her bonus would be (and paid it) on the books. I'm surprised so many people do otherwise.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for all the positive/constructive responses. I am curious for all those who say cash. We pay our nanny 100% on the books for everything given our occupations/security clearance and I am not inclined to go off the books for something like a bonus. Seems all downside to us. I am surprised by so many suggesting cash as I assume this means you are paying the bonus off the books. Do all of you not pay on the books for everything else?

We pay salary and overtime on the books. Bonus is cash, off the books.

Ditto. We take the risk.