There’s a helpful publication the IRS updates each year outlining the federal and state tax employer requirements when you pay your nanny, care giver, personal assistant or housekeeper in your private home. The employer is responsible for withholding the employee’s taxes, and if this doesn’t happen, may be required to pay the employee’s taxes that should have been withheld.

Here’s a breakdown:

FEDERAL

Social security tax - paid 50/50 between the employer and employee

Medicare tax - paid 50/50 between the employer and employee

Unemployment tax - paid by the employer once you pay $1,000/quarter. This tax maxes at $42/year because you also pay state unemployment tax.

Income tax - not required to withhold (employee may still owe this tax)

STATE

Unemployment tax - paid by the employer, rate varies by state

Family Leave - usually paid by the employee and varies by state

Disability - usually paid by the employee and varies by state

Income tax - not required to withhold (employee may still owe this tax) with HI being the one state that does require withholding