Household payroll for nanny and caregiver employers

Handle payroll and tax paperwork online for families who employ nannies, home health aides and other household staff.

Startup cost$200 to $1k
Monthly revenue$300 to $1.5k
Time needed5+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • $200-1k
  • Side hustle
  • Online

Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.

Official data

5,556 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.4% in a year

NAICS 541214 “Payroll services”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.

What it is

An online payroll service for private households that employ nannies, caregivers, housekeepers or other household workers. You calculate pay, withholding and employer taxes, and prepare the yearly paperwork.

Your first three steps

  1. Study household employer rules (IRS guidance and your state's rules) and choose payroll software that supports household employers
  2. Build a simple website and a flat-fee package, then set up your business and get an EIN
  3. Connect with nanny agencies, elder-care advisors and parent groups to find your first few households
Who pays

Busy families, older adults who employ caregivers and their relatives, and anyone who has hired household help and doesn't know the tax rules.

How it makes money

A flat monthly fee per household, with extra charges for setup, year-end W-2 preparation and help with state registrations.

Skills that help
  • Understanding household employer tax basics
  • Patient, clear explanations for non-experts
  • Organized record keeping
  • Working confidentially with personal information
Watch out for
  • Household employer rules differ by state, so check registration, unemployment insurance and workers' comp requirements
  • Decide clearly whether you only prepare payroll or also file and pay taxes on the family's behalf
  • Consider professional liability insurance for mistakes
  • Handle Social Security numbers and bank details securely
  • Some clients want to pay workers off the books, so be ready to explain why you only work with compliant arrangements

Deep research report · US

Everything you need to start: household payroll for nanny and caregiver employers

Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a household payroll business?

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $200 to $1,000, depending on the software and tools you choose and how you set up your online service. It is run online, so there are no premises to pay for.

What rules should I check for household payroll?

Household employer rules differ by state, so check registration, unemployment insurance and workers' comp requirements. Decide whether you only prepare payroll or also file and pay taxes for the family, and consider professional liability insurance.

How much can a household payroll service make?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $300 to $1,500, depending on how many families you serve and your pricing. You could start with as little as about 5 hours a week.

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