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Nanny tax calculator for 2026.

See your nanny's take-home paycheck and your true cost as an employer — Social Security, Medicare, unemployment, and federal withholding. No sign-up, nothing leaves your browser.

$/hr
Before taxes — always agree on gross.
hrs
Over 40 is paid at 1.5× (overtime).
%
No state income tax on wages.
Your nanny's paycheck
Take-home each week
Gross pay$1,425.00
Social Security (6.2%)−$88.35
Medicare (1.45%)−$20.66
Federal income tax−$152.23
Net take-home$1,163.76

$60,516 take-home per year

Your cost as the employer
What the nanny really costs you, per year
Gross wages$74,100
Social Security + Medicare (7.65%)+$5,669
Unemployment (FUTA + SUTA)+$231
Total yearly cost$80,000

Employer taxes add $5,900 — about 8% on top of wages.

A Dependent Care FSA could hand you back roughly $2,250/year by paying part of these wages pre-tax. FSA vs. tax credit — see which saves more
Like these numbers? House runs this exact math every payday, prints the pay stub, and prepares your W-2 and Schedule H — free.
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Estimate only, not tax advice. Federal withholding uses the IRS Publication 15-T percentage method with a standard W-4; state income tax is a rough, editable approximation; unemployment (FUTA/SUTA) uses default rates on the first $7,000 of wages and varies by state. Verify against current IRS, SSA, and state guidance.

Two numbers that matter.

Nanny pay has two sides, and this calculator shows both so nobody is surprised later.

  • Your nanny's take-home — gross pay minus their half of FICA and any income tax withheld. This is what lands in their account each payday.
  • Your total cost — gross wages plus the employer taxes you owe on top (your matching 7.65% and unemployment). Budget for this, not just the wage.
  • Tax breaks can shrink it— a Dependent Care FSA or the Child & Dependent Care Credit can hand back a chunk of what you spend. See every tax break

Nanny tax calculator FAQ.

How much does a nanny cost after taxes?

On top of gross wages, a household employer typically pays about 10% more in employer taxes — the 7.65% employer share of Social Security and Medicare plus federal and state unemployment (FUTA/SUTA), which apply only to the first $7,000 of wages. The calculator shows your exact total for the rate and hours you enter.

What taxes come out of a nanny's paycheck?

A nanny's paycheck has 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare withheld (their half of FICA), plus federal income tax if you agree to withhold it, and state income tax where it applies. The employer pays a matching 7.65% separately — that is never deducted from the nanny.

Is the nanny tax based on gross or net pay?

Always calculate from gross (pre-tax) wages. Taxes are withheld from gross to arrive at net take-home. Agreeing on a 'take-home' number instead can quietly raise your cost, because you end up covering the taxes on top.

When do I owe nanny taxes?

For 2026, once you pay a household employee $3,000 or more in the year you owe Social Security and Medicare taxes. A separate trigger — $1,000 or more in any calendar quarter — creates federal unemployment (FUTA) tax. These thresholds change, so verify the current numbers.

Is this calculator accurate for my state?

Federal figures use the IRS Publication 15-T percentage method with 2026 numbers. State income tax is a rough, editable approximation because most states are progressive, and state unemployment (SUTA) rates vary. Use it as a close estimate, not a filing, and confirm your state's specifics.

Turn the estimate into real payroll.

House runs this math every payday, prints pay stubs, and prepares your year-end forms — free.

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