AZ · State Guide · Tax year 2026

Arizona nanny tax guide

Everything you need to pay a nanny, caregiver, or household employee legally in Arizona— the rates CareTax uses to calculate your pay runs, the forms you'll file, and the state portals you'll file them through.

SUI (new employer)

2%

On first $8,000

SDI

None

PFML

None

State income tax

2.5%

Flat rate

Minimum wage

$14.70/hr

Workers' comp

Not required

Quick Facts

ItemValueNotes
Minimum Wage$15.15/hr$15.15/hr statewide; $18.35/hr Flagstaff
Pay FrequencyTwice monthly
Overtime Rules1.5x after 40 hrs/week; live-in exempt
Record Retention4 years

Unemployment Insurance

Registration: Register online

Paid Sick Leave

Accrual Rate: 1hr/30hrs worked

Annual Cap: 24 hrs

Yes -- 24 hrs/yr accrued at 1hr/30hrs worked

New Hire Reporting

Deadline: Within 20 days of hire

Report Online: File report

Special Requirements

No state income tax withholding for household employees; sick leave 90-day waiting period allowed; 24-hr carryover required

Required Forms

Arizona state form

Purpose: State compliance

Key Deadlines

DeadlineDateDescriptionFrequency
New Hire ReportingWithin 20 days of hireReport new employees within 20 days to the stateat-event

State Agencies

Sources

Frequently asked

Do I owe nanny tax in Arizona?
If you pay a household employee $3,000 or more in 2026, you owe federal FICA (Social Security and Medicare). If you pay $1,000 or more in any calendar quarter, you owe FUTA. Arizona state unemployment kicks in once you exceed the state's wage threshold — typically the first $8,000 of wages.
What is the Arizona SUI rate for a new household employer?
New household employers in Arizona start at 2%, applied to the first $8,000 of each employee's wages per year. Your rate can change once the state assigns you an experience rating, usually after 2–3 years.
How much state income tax do I withhold for a Arizona nanny?
Arizona applies a flat 2.5% state income tax. You withhold this from each paycheck after applying any state standard deduction or exemptions based on your employee's state withholding certificate.
What forms do I need to file for a household employee in Arizona?
Federally: Schedule H (filed with your personal Form 1040), W-2 and W-3 (given to your employee and filed with the SSA), and quarterly EFTPS deposits if your liability exceeds $1,000/year. In Arizona: new-hire reporting, quarterly SUI filings, and any required state income tax withholding returns. CareTax generates all federal reference documents and points you to the Arizona state portals.