Cooks, assistants, gardeners —same rules, one place.
If you pay someone directly to work in or around a parent's home, the same household-employment rules usually apply, whatever the job title. KinPayroll handles any household employee the same way — and lets you manage more than one from a single account. Estimates only — confirm your situation with a tax advisor.
Built around IRS Pub 926~10-min setupNo credit card
The job title doesn't change the rule.
Household employment is about the working relationship, not the role — a cook, a personal assistant, a gardener, or a driver you hire directly is generally a household employee.
Control is the test
If you hire someone directly to work in or around a home and you control how the work is done, they're generally a household employee. Someone running their own public-facing business may be a contractor instead. Confirm with a tax advisor.
Same thresholds, any role
The same thresholds apply regardless of role: once you pay a household employee about $3,000 or more in a year, FICA generally applies and FUTA may apply above a separate wage amount, plus any state requirements.
More than one person?
If you employ more than one person around the home, each is generally evaluated on their own wages and relationship. KinPayroll lets you manage multiple household employees from one account.
Documented pay does double duty
The on-the-books steps are the same for anyone: correct withholding, pay stubs, and a year-end W-2 and Schedule H. Documented pay also keeps a clean record of money leaving a parent's account, which can matter for Medicaid.
Not sure what you'll owe — or save?
Estimate the employer taxes and the medical-expense deduction you may qualify for — about two minutes, no account.
Estimates only — confirm with your tax advisor.
It's not just senior care.
Anyone you pay to work in your parent's home is a household employee — and the tax rules are the same. Pick yours and we'll walk you through it.
Senior caregiver
Paying an in-home aide for your aging parent — the case KinPayroll is built around, start to finish.
Family member
A relative you pay to provide care. Some family wages are treated differently — the calculator helps you see your situation.
Learn moreNot sure? The tax calculator works no matter who you employ.
Common questions
Generally yes, if you hire and pay them directly and control how the work is done — household employment is about the working relationship, not the job title. Someone running their own public-facing business may be a contractor instead. Confirm with a tax advisor.
Whoever you employ around the home — pay them right.
Start free, manage everyone from one account, and stay ahead of the year-end forms.
Free accountNo credit card50-state tax estimates