tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196060042008-07-17T11:14:04.156-05:00Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125347234http://www.feedburner.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-66515095860541485962008-07-16T08:42:00.005-05:002008-07-17T11:14:04.168-05:00

The Montgomery County (MD) Council is creating quite a stir with it's new "Nanny Contracts" law. One point missed in yesterday's media is that the county will be drafting and publishing a model work agreement and disclosure statement. I believe the only substantial difference between the eventually published model and the sample nanny work agreements published at 4nannytaxes.com will be the

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-35547753811948716332008-07-15T16:32:00.002-05:002008-07-15T16:40:28.317-05:00

The Montgomery County (MD) Council has unanimously approved the 'Nanny Bill' today (7/15/2008) and County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) is expected to sign this measure into law. The bill requires household employers in Montgomery County to have a written work agreement that clearly states the job description, wages and benefits for their household employees. Employers of live-in domestic help are

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-7855059757594053002008-06-24T13:59:00.000-05:002008-06-24T12:54:15.099-05:00

Bob King, Esq., President of Legally Nanny reports that H.R. 5804, the Taxpayer Responsibility, Accountability and Consistency Act of 2008, recently introduced in Congress, could impose stiff penalties for families misclassifying nannies as "independent contractors." "H.R. 5804 would significantly increase penalties for employers who misclassify workers as independent contractors instead of

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-71424446939494702772008-06-24T09:42:00.004-05:002008-06-24T09:58:01.616-05:00

I blogged on June 10, 2008 on the risks household employers run when they pay their nanny or housekeeper 'under the table.' Massachusetts recently announced an enforcement initiative that will attempt to crack down on "the underground economy of workers being paid in cash, not getting overtime, or being unlawfully called "independent contractors," according to a report in The Republican (

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-55297823391982445692008-06-24T07:56:00.002-05:002008-06-24T08:01:21.984-05:00

The IRS mileage reimbursement rate, the rate typically used by nanny employers to reimburse their nanny for the business use of her personal automobile, is scheduled to increase July 1, 2008. The rate will increase to 58.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1 through Dec. 31, said the IRS, which noted that 50.5 cents was the rate in effect for the first six months of 2008. "

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-54481817184108762182008-06-12T08:10:00.003-05:002008-06-12T08:21:45.082-05:00

Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minnesota) has requested that the IRS increase the mileage reimbursement rate (currently $0.505 per mile) to reflect the sudden and dramatic increase in fuel costs. This rate typically adjusts on an annual basis, however, there is some precedent for interium adjustments such as the 4 months following Hurricane Katrina. "For many Americans, using a car for business

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-71146765794585013942008-06-11T14:31:00.004-05:002008-06-24T09:28:22.478-05:00

President Bush issued an executive order June 6, 2008, requiring all contractors doing business with the Federal Government to immediately begin utilizing the Department of Homeland Security-operated e-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires. This order equally covers defense contractors, computer professionals, and the firms providing janitorial and cafeteria

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-28614575853766954402008-06-10T09:00:00.007-05:002008-06-10T09:40:36.656-05:00

Many families - 70 - 80% according to IRS estimates - choose to pay their nanny under the table. This 'saves' the family the approximately 10% premium on employment taxes, and maximizes the nanny's take home since she does not make the Social Security, Medicare, and income tax contributions that other US wage earners do. Sounds like these families have found a money saving proposition, right?

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-24357218463387058142008-06-02T09:18:00.004-05:002008-06-02T12:22:06.351-05:00

The Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) Division of the Department of Homeland Security has dramatically stepped up worksite enforcement efforts in 2008, part of a high profile effort to demonstrate that they are serious about enforcing immigration laws. Increasingly, critics are pointing out the inequity of arresting and deporting the non-documented workers, while letting the employers

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-2596363391898612252008-06-02T09:10:00.003-05:002008-06-02T13:10:37.071-05:00

HomeWork Solutions Inc., nationally recognized household payroll experts since 1993, is pleased to announce the addition of e-Verify compliance to its "Nanny Tax" payroll and tax compliance services. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS), in cooperation with the Social Security Administration, has developed the e-Verify program to provide employers verification of each individual's

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-41009247990427101692008-05-29T08:13:00.002-05:002008-05-29T08:16:36.079-05:00

Families employing an au pair through the US Department of State Au Pair Program, please be aware that the weekly au pair stipend will increase to $176.85 per week on July 24, 2008. This timing coincides with the next scheduled increase (to $6.55 per hour) of the US minimum wage. Families are required to pay this new, higher stipend regardless of when they contracted with their au pair. There

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-83113120835149526602008-05-13T09:58:00.003-05:002008-05-13T10:12:36.762-05:00

Recent Hollywood Star vs. Former Nanny news has raised the profile of the nanny confidentiality agreement. These are not just for the rich and famous - every family should take the time to put a nanny work agreement in place that includes as one of its essential components a nanny confidentiality agreement. Every family has information and circumstances that the nanny may become privy to that

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-52880878640569674732008-04-29T13:06:00.006-05:002008-04-29T13:26:12.419-05:00

The International Nanny Association (www.nanny.org) is holding its annual conference in Orlando May 1 - 4 2008 and this year I get to attend the whole thing! (I have had conflicting college graduations the last two years.). The INA is a professional association comprised of professional nannies, nanny placement and referral services, and businesses like HomeWork Solutions (Nanny Payroll and Nanny

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-58972863308933082002008-04-22T13:48:00.004-05:002008-04-22T14:06:31.003-05:00

HomeWork Solutions Inc. is currently staffing a full time client support position. Candidates with strong organizational skills, strong written and oral English language skills, and an absolute commitment to providing an outstanding client service experience are encouraged to apply. Our offices are conveniently located in eastern Loudoun County VA (Sterling/Cascades area). The successful

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-1436289221560715632008-04-10T08:41:00.005-05:002008-04-10T09:31:00.435-05:00

I have blogged several times about the stepped up workplace enforcement efforts of DHS' Immigration Control and Enforcement (ICE) branch. These are high profile raids of employers who employ large numbers of employees with questionable work eligibility. Nanny employers are not particularly at risk here, but this points out a larger movement to push immigration enforcement down to the employer

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-48195151028850211672008-04-01T15:01:00.005-05:002008-04-01T15:41:40.073-05:00

I recently had to write a quick background blurb on HomeWork Solutions' services and history for the International Nanny Association. We celebrated our 15th year in business last month, and this was a walk down memory lane... HomeWork Solutions' co-founders met for coffee in early February 1993 to discuss the idea that a 'nanny tax compliance service' could become a useful service business in

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-17007203067015383792008-03-24T09:57:00.005-05:002008-03-26T08:21:02.371-05:00

(Atherton CA) Sakhawat and Roomy Khan's former live in nanny and maid, Vilma Serralta, is suing her former employers, claiming that the Khan's paid her $250 for an 84 hour work week, in violation of both California and Federal minimum wage and overtime statues. Ms. Serralta further claims that she did not receive Wage Statments (Forms W-2) as required by law. The suit will approach $120,000

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-10523600822433107682008-03-18T13:54:00.002-05:002008-03-18T13:59:59.799-05:00

These nanny agency screening questions will help you choose or select the best agency for you. Not all nanny referral agencies are created equal. Many reputable agencies have been serving clients for years, are active in professional and trade associations, and truly strive to make the best match for your family. Some are well meaning but simply inexperienced or lacking the resources (generally

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-3771345590954432862008-03-08T12:52:00.002-05:002008-03-19T12:57:04.379-05:00

Millions of Americans prepare and submit their annual income tax returns to the IRS in the weeks leading up to April 15 - AKA "Tax Day." Several hundred thousand taxpayers owe "nanny taxes", the employment taxes associated with their employment of a nanny, housekeeper, or regular babysitter. The IRS estimates that 800,000 or so of these otherwise law abiding citizens will fail to report these

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-3189832357190234462008-02-21T11:07:00.003-05:002008-02-21T11:19:00.279-05:00

HomeWork Solutions, the nation's leading nanny tax compliance service provider, has been collecting responses on three regional salary surveys over the last 6 months. The first two surveys, covering Washington DC Metropolitan Area and New York City Metropolitan Area, are now closed and the results are posted at the 4nannytaxes.com website. These surveys confirmed what many working families have

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-47279935585020106472008-02-13T14:32:00.001-05:002008-03-25T13:42:44.201-05:00

Careful, thorough nanny screening is your responsibility, and our concern. The internet is a fantastic venue to put families with childcare needs in touch with individuals looking for nanny work. Most nanny applicants are honest and caring, seeking only the best family match for their skills and preferences. There will be, however, some bad apples in the barrel, and even the most honest and

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-49619341892115944492008-02-12T15:55:00.001-05:002008-02-13T16:19:34.527-05:00

The media reports that President Bush is expected to sign the economic stimulus bill on Wednesday, February 13. What does this mean for nannies? Most nannies will qualify for a rebate of $600, or $1200 if filing jointly, providing of course that the nanny paid at least that much in Federal income tax in 2007. If a nanny's 2007 federal tax liability is between $300 and $600 (single) or $600 and

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-21018268693178783872008-02-06T11:21:00.001-05:002008-02-06T11:57:33.999-05:00

Nannies are employees of the families they work for. They are not independent contractors, whether the family or nanny wants to be or not. Families sometimes try to completely side step their employment tax obligations by giving the nanny a 1099 form at year end. In so doing, they avoid paying their share of Social Security and Medicare taxes, as well as unemployment taxes, and they push their

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-36693549760865096092008-02-04T14:37:00.000-05:002008-02-04T14:38:59.188-05:00

$1600 - The wage threshold that obligates a family to pay the "Nanny Taxes." These include Social Security and Medicare, and may include Federal and State Unemployment taxes. $1712 - The maximum amount of advanced earned income credit a nanny (with at least one qualifying child) may receive in 2007. The nanny must also be expected to earn less than $33,241. (Unchanged) 50.5 cents per mile - the

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19606004.post-18740496868036226022008-01-28T09:34:00.000-05:002008-01-28T09:45:52.791-05:00

The Montgomery County (MD) Council is considering a proposal to make employment agreements mandatory for in home workers employed by the same family for 20 hours or more per week, according to a January 26 report in the Washington Post. The work agreements would memorialize the terms and conditions of employment, as well as be required to state the state and county protections the domestic

Kathleen Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915361443110987132noreply@blogger.com