Household Employer Tax Timeline for Hiring a Caregiver | HomeTogether Hire
HomeTogether Hire
▾
HomeTogether, by Caring Companions
HomeTogether homeSee both ways to care HomeTogether HireFind & hire a caregiver near youYou're here HomeTogether TVStay close through the TV
Post a job, free
Home › Resources › Tax timeline

Become a prepared employer

Household employer tax timeline

Pay a caregiver more than about $2,800 in a year and you're a "household employer." It sounds official, but it's really just a simple rhythm of a few things through the year. Here's what and when, so nothing sneaks up on you.

1
When you hire

Set up as an employer

Get a free federal EIN (employer ID) from the IRS, it takes about 10 minutes online. Have your caregiver fill out a Form I-9 and a W-4.

Forms: SS-4 (EIN), I-9, W-4, and your state's W-4 if it has one.
2
Every payday

Pay and keep records

Track each payment, date, hours, and amount, and set aside money for taxes (or let a payroll service withhold it for you).

Use the pay log to keep this straight.
3
Quarterly · Apr, Jun, Sep, Jan

Pay estimated taxes (if needed)

If you'll owe a meaningful amount in household employment taxes, pay a little each quarter so April isn't a shock.

Form: 1040-ES (estimated taxes).
4
By January 31

Give your caregiver a W-2

Send your caregiver their W-2 for the prior year, and file a copy with the Social Security Administration.

Forms: W-2 to the caregiver, W-2 Copy A + W-3 to the SSA.
5
With your April return

File Schedule H

Report the household employment taxes on your own tax return by attaching Schedule H to your Form 1040.

Form: Schedule H, filed with your 1040.

The easy button

A payroll service (Poppins Payroll, Care.com HomePay, SurePayroll, and others) can handle almost all of this, the withholding, the W-2, the filings, for a modest monthly fee. For many families it's the simplest, most stress-free way. Your payroll setup checklist helps you pick one.

This is an overview, not tax or legal advice. Thresholds and forms change, and your state (Missouri) may have its own rules. Confirm the specifics with a tax professional or your payroll service.