August 28th, we had a wonderful new group of students. That day, we also gave certificates to the graduates of July 31st class. One of the requests made by several was that we put together a CPR course. So we now have it in place. September 11th, we will be signing up 10 people for a privately held CPR class at our offices. Please contact us for registration.
Another request was a class on Diet/Nutrition and Getting into Shape. This class will be given on Saturday, September 11th from 9-12 noon. $25/per person.
Lastly, our next Professional Housekeeper day seminar is Sunday, September 12th and Saturday, September 18th. Cost per person with materials is $99.95. You may register on line. or by calling us at (818) 618-8129.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Can I 1099 my household employee?
When a taxpayer hires people to work in and around his/her personal household - such as housekeepers, nannies- those workers may be considered employees.
Although you usually do not need to complete a Form 1099 for paid work that is performed in and around your home, you may need to issue a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. You also may be responsible for withholding and paying employment taxes on wages paid to workers who qualify as your employees.
Usually a household worker is considered an employee if the payer can control both what work is done and how it is done. If the worker controls how the work is done, the worker is normally considered self-employed and not an employee.
For example, (individuals) who work in your home like carpenters, builders and plumbers are normally self-employed, independent contractors and are not employees. Self-employed workers usually provide their own tools and offer their services to the general public.
To answer your question about the payment threshold: If you pay an individual household employee cash wages (including wages paid by check or money order) of more than $1,700 in 2010, you generally must withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes from all cash wages.
You have the option to pay your employee's share of taxes from your own funds rather than withhold it from their salary. You are not required to withhold federal income tax from wages you pay to a household employee, unless your employee asks you to withhold income tax and you agree. In some situations, you also may be responsible to pay federal unemployment taxes on a portion of the cash wages.
If you must withhold and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, or if you withhold federal income tax, you will need to file a Form W-2 for each employee after the end of the year. In that situation you will also need to file a Schedule H, Household Employment Taxes, after the end of the year with your Form 1040 individual income tax return.
For more details, see IRS Publication 926, Household Employer's Tax Guide, at IRS.gov or order it by mail by calling 800-TAX-FORM (829-3676).
Although you usually do not need to complete a Form 1099 for paid work that is performed in and around your home, you may need to issue a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. You also may be responsible for withholding and paying employment taxes on wages paid to workers who qualify as your employees.
Usually a household worker is considered an employee if the payer can control both what work is done and how it is done. If the worker controls how the work is done, the worker is normally considered self-employed and not an employee.
For example, (individuals) who work in your home like carpenters, builders and plumbers are normally self-employed, independent contractors and are not employees. Self-employed workers usually provide their own tools and offer their services to the general public.
To answer your question about the payment threshold: If you pay an individual household employee cash wages (including wages paid by check or money order) of more than $1,700 in 2010, you generally must withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes from all cash wages.
You have the option to pay your employee's share of taxes from your own funds rather than withhold it from their salary. You are not required to withhold federal income tax from wages you pay to a household employee, unless your employee asks you to withhold income tax and you agree. In some situations, you also may be responsible to pay federal unemployment taxes on a portion of the cash wages.
If you must withhold and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, or if you withhold federal income tax, you will need to file a Form W-2 for each employee after the end of the year. In that situation you will also need to file a Schedule H, Household Employment Taxes, after the end of the year with your Form 1040 individual income tax return.
For more details, see IRS Publication 926, Household Employer's Tax Guide, at IRS.gov or order it by mail by calling 800-TAX-FORM (829-3676).
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
INTERNET NANNY SCAMS
Have you ever received an email requesting your nanny service without even meeting you. Nanny scams are prevalent. eNannysource.com wrote how it works:
1) The Nanny scammer offers a job without a nanny interview.
2) The Nanny scammer will usually tell the nanny they are moving to their town.
3) The Nanny scammer will offer to send a money order (that is forged) or some other form of payment to insure the job. When the money arrives, it is much more than expected.
4) The Nanny scammer then provides instructions to forward the "excess" money to the third party, who in effect is them.
5) After you write a personal check against your own bank account for the difference,or you wire the money straight back from your account, you will find that the money they sent is fraudulent and the bank will require that you pay back all of the money you sent to the scammer.
Here are the signs of a scammer:
*If a family wants to hire you without meeting you or even a background check.
*The offer seems to good to be true.
*Anyone who tells you that they will send you money to purchase items for them.
*If someone says they are moving to your town, but currently out of the country.
Never accept any form of payment over the internet.
Never provide banking information.
Never try to cash a check from someone you don't know.
Delete the button immediately when any of this applies.
1) The Nanny scammer offers a job without a nanny interview.
2) The Nanny scammer will usually tell the nanny they are moving to their town.
3) The Nanny scammer will offer to send a money order (that is forged) or some other form of payment to insure the job. When the money arrives, it is much more than expected.
4) The Nanny scammer then provides instructions to forward the "excess" money to the third party, who in effect is them.
5) After you write a personal check against your own bank account for the difference,or you wire the money straight back from your account, you will find that the money they sent is fraudulent and the bank will require that you pay back all of the money you sent to the scammer.
Here are the signs of a scammer:
*If a family wants to hire you without meeting you or even a background check.
*The offer seems to good to be true.
*Anyone who tells you that they will send you money to purchase items for them.
*If someone says they are moving to your town, but currently out of the country.
Never accept any form of payment over the internet.
Never provide banking information.
Never try to cash a check from someone you don't know.
Delete the button immediately when any of this applies.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
MARTHA NO! BY Edward Hardy
New books for ages 3 and up:
Naughty Martha has a new nanny - but unlike Mary Poppins, Mrs Doubtfire or Nanny McPhee, this stout and kindly guardian has no control over Martha and her determination to get into trouble. (She's had ten nannies already this year. . .) Museums, galleries, sandpits and cafes are all adventure-playgrounds for Martha, who eventually sails away on a bunch of balloons - and achieves her happy ending.
Mischievous mayhem that will inspire all those little madams who look like angels but behave like devils.
Naughty Martha has a new nanny - but unlike Mary Poppins, Mrs Doubtfire or Nanny McPhee, this stout and kindly guardian has no control over Martha and her determination to get into trouble. (She's had ten nannies already this year. . .) Museums, galleries, sandpits and cafes are all adventure-playgrounds for Martha, who eventually sails away on a bunch of balloons - and achieves her happy ending.
Mischievous mayhem that will inspire all those little madams who look like angels but behave like devils.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Nannies, Housekeepers - Be Careful with Household Cleaners around Children
The rate of injuries among young children involving household cleaners has dropped however it is still high. Between 1990 and 20056, there were 267,269 children 5 years and under treated due to exposure to toxic cleaners such as: ammonia, laundry soap, bleach, cleansers containing low-molecular weight hydrocarbons, acids, detergents like pine oil, spot removers, lye, oven cleaners, toilet bowl products and dishwasher detergents. The numbers have gone down in recent years due to child safety resistant packaging and because parents are now more aware of the effects of toxic products and due to poison control centers helping parents deal with injuries at home. All caregivers: nannies, babysitters and housekeepers must be aware and careful to keep all cleaning products out of a child's reach.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Who's Vacation is it anyway?
Often the question comes up as to whether an employer can ask a Nanny or Housekeeper to take vacation time when the family decides to take their vacation. This virtually means that a vacation is offered but can ONLY be taken when the family leaves themselves. Another question would be can an employer ask the Nanny to split up her vacation time by taking a few days here and a few days there whenever the family is also out of town. So what is the answer? The answer is that a family can choose to give a Nanny vacation time in the State of California ONLY if they want to do so. It is not mandatory. In addition, the family can choose to give that time to a Nanny or Housekeeper as they find it convenient for them. A Nanny or Housekeeper has the option to accept these circumstances or not take the job. How can you get around this issue. For the protection of both parties, it is recommended that an employment agreement be in place stating exactly how much vacation is offered and when and how it can be taken throughout the year. This ensures that there are no misunderstandings between the Nanny and Housekeeper and the household employer. If the Nanny wants something different and the employer agrees, then it is also best to get this in writing in the event memories begin to fail. Employment Agreements protect everyone and should always be used when hiring a nanny or housekeeper. http://www.martaperrone.com
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