Payroll tips & guides
Practical advice for household employers, small business owners, and anyone who wants to understand payroll better.
Private Household Staff Payroll: Schedule H, Nanny Tax & W-2 Guide (2026)
Learn how to do payroll for household employees in 2026. Covers Schedule H, nanny tax obligations, W-2 filing, and FUTA — step-by-step for domestic employers.
May 23, 2026
What Is a Pay Period? Weekly vs Biweekly vs Semi-Monthly
Learn what a pay period is and compare weekly, biweekly, and semi-monthly schedules so your small business pays employees the right way.
March 24, 2026
How to Calculate Overtime Pay: Federal Rules & State Differences
Learn how to calculate overtime pay for hourly and salaried employees. Step-by-step guide covering federal FLSA rules and key state differences.
March 11, 2026
What Is Payroll Software? A 2026 Guide for Small Businesses
Learn what payroll software is, how it works, and why your small business needs it in 2026. Simple guide for micro-businesses with 1-10 employees.
March 10, 2026
What Is a Household Employee? Complete IRS Guide for 2026
Learn the IRS definition of a household employee, how to tell employees from contractors, tax thresholds for 2026, and your obligations as a household employer.
February 19, 2026
Household Employee Taxes 2026: What You Owe and How to Pay
Learn exactly what taxes you owe for a nanny, housekeeper, or caregiver in 2026. Covers FICA, FUTA, state taxes, thresholds, and a full worked example.
February 19, 2026
How Much Should You Pay Your Nanny? 2026 Rates + Calculator Guide
National average nanny pay rates for 2026, city-by-city comparisons, and a full cost calculator. Learn hourly vs salary, taxes, benefits, and total employer cost.
February 19, 2026
Independent Contractor Payroll: Software, Taxes, and Pay Stubs Explained
Learn how independent contractor payroll works, what 1099 software you need, self-employment tax obligations, and how contractors maintain income records.
February 19, 2026
The Complete Guide to Nanny Taxes in 2026
Everything you need to know about paying your nanny legally, from thresholds to tax credits. Learn about Social Security, Medicare, federal and state taxes for household employees.
January 28, 2026
New Household Employer? Here's Your Complete Checklist
Hiring a nanny, housekeeper, or caregiver? Follow this comprehensive checklist to set up payroll correctly and stay compliant with IRS requirements.
January 20, 2026
5 Payroll Mistakes That Cost Small Businesses Money
Avoid these common payroll errors that lead to IRS penalties, unhappy employees, and wasted money. Learn how to run payroll correctly the first time.
January 15, 2026
W-2 vs 1099: Why Your Nanny Is Almost Never a Contractor
Understanding the IRS rules for household employee classification. Learn why misclassifying your nanny as an independent contractor can lead to serious penalties.
January 10, 2026
How to Claim the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit in 2026
Get up to $6,000 back when you pay your caregiver on the books. Learn eligibility requirements, how to calculate your credit, and maximize your tax savings.
January 5, 2026
Small Business Payroll 101: A Complete Beginner's Guide
New to running payroll? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about setting up and managing payroll for your small business.
December 28, 2025
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Popular Topics
Nanny Taxes
Complete guides to paying your household employees legally
Tax Credits
Maximize your child care and dependent care tax benefits
Small Business
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Compliance
Stay on the right side of IRS and state requirements