Do I owe nanny tax in California?

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. California state unemployment kicks in once you exceed the state's wage threshold - typically the first $7,000 of wages.

What is the California SUI rate for a new household employer?

New household employers in California start at 3.4%, applied to the first $7,000 of each employee's wages per year. Your rate can change once the state assigns you an experience rating, usually after 2–3 years.

Does California require State Disability Insurance (SDI)?

Yes. California requires SDI contributions: 1.3% (employee-paid). SDI funds short-term disability benefits for employees who can't work due to non-work-related illness or injury.

How much state income tax do I withhold for a California nanny?

California uses progressive tax brackets. Your employee's state income tax withholding depends on their expected annual wages and filing status per their state withholding certificate. CareTax's calculator handles bracketed withholding automatically for every pay run.

What forms do I need to file for a household employee in California?

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 California: 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 California state portals.

What is Schedule H, and when do I file it?

Schedule H is an IRS form that household employers file annually with their personal Form 1040 to report Social Security, Medicare, FUTA, and withheld federal income taxes paid to household employees. It is due by April 15 (or the extended deadline if you file for an extension). The IRS covers Schedule H in detail in Publication 926. CareTax includes Schedule H references for every saved pay run.

What if I pay my nanny less than $3,000 in a year?

If total cash wages to a single household employee fall below the federal FICA threshold ($3,000 in 2026; verify the current figure in IRS Publication 926), you generally do not owe Social Security and Medicare taxes for that employee. FUTA still applies if you pay $1,000 or more in any calendar quarter, regardless of the annual total. State thresholds may differ, so check your state's unemployment agency rules as well.

Is my nanny an employee or an independent contractor?

Nannies are almost always W-2 household employees under IRS common-law rules because the family controls when, where, and how the work is performed. Classifying a nanny as a 1099 independent contractor is one of the most common audit risks for household employers. IRS Publication 926 explains the employee vs. contractor distinction in detail. CareTax is built for W-2 household employees and walks you through correct classification.

Can I pay my nanny in cash and skip taxes?

The method of payment — cash, check, or bank transfer — does not change your tax obligations. Cash wages paid to a household employee are still wages and must be reported to the IRS and your state. Failing to withhold and remit payroll taxes can result in back taxes, substantial penalties, and personal liability for the employer. CareTax tracks every pay run so your records are complete regardless of how you pay.

What if I have more than one household employee?

The $3,000 FICA threshold applies per employee, so you evaluate each worker separately to determine whether federal Social Security and Medicare taxes apply. The $1,000-per-quarter FUTA threshold, however, is aggregated across all household employees combined. Each employee requires their own W-2 and is reported separately on Schedule H. CareTax supports multiple household employees within a single account.

California Nanny Tax Guide 2026

Reviewed by the CareTax editorial team · Last updated February 10, 2026

Quick Facts

Item	Value	Notes
Minimum Wage	$16.90/hr	$16.90/hr (Jan 1, 2026); local rates higher in many cities
Pay Frequency	Twice monthly
Overtime Rules	Complex: varies by live-in/live-out and personal care/other domestic. Live-out other: 1.5x after 8hrs/day, 2x after 12hrs/day; live-in: 1.5x after 9hrs/day and 45hrs/week
Record Retention	3 years

State Income Tax

Withholding Form: DE 4

Unemployment Insurance

Registration: Register online

Workers' Compensation

Threshold: (all employers)

Paid Family & Medical Leave

Program: State Disability Insurance (SDI) + Paid Family Leave (PFL)

Yes -- min 24hrs by day 120; 40hrs by day 200; cities may require more; Yes (Paid Family Leave); Yes (State Disability Insurance)

Item	Value
Employer Contribution	Yes
Employee Contribution	Yes
Max Weeks	8 weeks

Paid Sick Leave

Accrual Rate: Progressive (varies)

Annual Cap: 40 hrs/5 days

Yes -- min 24hrs by day 120; 40hrs by day 200; cities may require more; Yes (Paid Family Leave); Yes (State Disability Insurance)

New Hire Reporting

Deadline: Within 20 days of hire

Report Online: File report

File report

Special Requirements

CalSavers retirement program mandatory registration; paystubs required (itemized); training repayment agreements (TRAP) are illegal; mileage reimbursement required if employee drives for work

Mandatory retirement program registration

CalSavers retirement program mandatory registration by Dec 31

California Family Rights Act (4+ employees): 12 weeks unpaid + 5 days bereavement

Required Forms

Form DE 4

California state income tax withholding form

Purpose: Employee completes for state tax withholding

California state form

Purpose: State compliance

Key Deadlines

Deadline	Date	Description	Frequency
New Hire Reporting	Within 20 days of hire	Report new employees within 20 days to the state	at-event

State Agencies

Sources

Poppins Payroll State Resources

Frequently asked

Do I owe nanny tax in California?: 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. California state unemployment kicks in once you exceed the state's wage threshold - typically the first $7,000 of wages.
What is the California SUI rate for a new household employer?: New household employers in California start at 3.4%, applied to the first $7,000 of each employee's wages per year. Your rate can change once the state assigns you an experience rating, usually after 2–3 years.
Does California require State Disability Insurance (SDI)?: Yes. California requires SDI contributions: 1.3% (employee-paid). SDI funds short-term disability benefits for employees who can't work due to non-work-related illness or injury.
How much state income tax do I withhold for a California nanny?: California uses progressive tax brackets. Your employee's state income tax withholding depends on their expected annual wages and filing status per their state withholding certificate. CareTax's calculator handles bracketed withholding automatically for every pay run.
What forms do I need to file for a household employee in California?: 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 California: 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 California state portals.
What is Schedule H, and when do I file it?: Schedule H is an IRS form that household employers file annually with their personal Form 1040 to report Social Security, Medicare, FUTA, and withheld federal income taxes paid to household employees. It is due by April 15 (or the extended deadline if you file for an extension). The IRS covers Schedule H in detail in Publication 926. CareTax includes Schedule H references for every saved pay run.
What if I pay my nanny less than $3,000 in a year?: If total cash wages to a single household employee fall below the federal FICA threshold ($3,000 in 2026; verify the current figure in IRS Publication 926), you generally do not owe Social Security and Medicare taxes for that employee. FUTA still applies if you pay $1,000 or more in any calendar quarter, regardless of the annual total. State thresholds may differ, so check your state's unemployment agency rules as well.
Is my nanny an employee or an independent contractor?: Nannies are almost always W-2 household employees under IRS common-law rules because the family controls when, where, and how the work is performed. Classifying a nanny as a 1099 independent contractor is one of the most common audit risks for household employers. IRS Publication 926 explains the employee vs. contractor distinction in detail. CareTax is built for W-2 household employees and walks you through correct classification.
Can I pay my nanny in cash and skip taxes?: The method of payment — cash, check, or bank transfer — does not change your tax obligations. Cash wages paid to a household employee are still wages and must be reported to the IRS and your state. Failing to withhold and remit payroll taxes can result in back taxes, substantial penalties, and personal liability for the employer. CareTax tracks every pay run so your records are complete regardless of how you pay.
What if I have more than one household employee?: The $3,000 FICA threshold applies per employee, so you evaluate each worker separately to determine whether federal Social Security and Medicare taxes apply. The $1,000-per-quarter FUTA threshold, however, is aggregated across all household employees combined. Each employee requires their own W-2 and is reported separately on Schedule H. CareTax supports multiple household employees within a single account.