Do I owe nanny tax in New Jersey?

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. New Jersey state unemployment kicks in once you exceed the state's wage threshold - typically the first $44,800 of wages.

What is the New Jersey SUI rate for a new household employer?

New household employers in New Jersey start at 2.8%, applied to the first $44,800 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 New Jersey require State Disability Insurance (SDI)?

Yes. New Jersey requires SDI contributions: 0.19% (both-paid). SDI funds short-term disability benefits for employees who can't work due to non-work-related illness or injury.

Does New Jersey require Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)?

Yes. New Jersey requires PFML contributions totaling 0.23% of wages up to $171,100 per employee. The employee share is 0.23% and the employer share is 0%.

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

New Jersey 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 New Jersey?

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 New Jersey: 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 New Jersey 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.

New Jersey Nanny Tax Guide 2026

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

Quick Facts

Item	Value	Notes
Minimum Wage	$15.92/hr	$15.92/hr (standard); $15.23/hr (<6 employees and seasonal)
Pay Frequency	Twice monthly
Overtime Rules	1.5x after 40 hrs/week
Record Retention	3 years

State Income Tax

Withholding Form: NJ-W4

Unemployment Insurance

Registration: Register online

Workers' Compensation

Threshold: (all household employers)

Paid Family & Medical Leave

Program: Family Leave Insurance (FLI) + Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)

40 hrs/year paid; 1hr/30hrs worked; 100% employee-funded; up to 12 consecutive weeks; Both employer and employee contribute

Item	Value
Employer Contribution	Yes
Employee Contribution	Yes
Max Weeks	12 weeks

Paid Sick Leave

Accrual Rate: 1hr/30hrs worked

Annual Cap: 40 hrs

40 hrs/year paid; 1hr/30hrs worked; 100% employee-funded; up to 12 consecutive weeks; Both employer and employee contribute

New Hire Reporting

Deadline: Within 20 days of hire

Report Online: File report

File report

Written Contract Required

Threshold: 5+ hrs/month

Must be in worker's preferred language

Special Requirements

Written employment contract REQUIRED for 5+ hrs/month domestic workers (in worker's preferred language); food/lodging credits allowed with records; anti-discrimination protections; rest breaks 10 min/4 hrs; 30-min meal after 5 hrs; live-in: max 6 consecutive days without 24-hr rest

Required Forms

Form NJ-W4

New Jersey state income tax withholding form

Purpose: Employee completes for state tax withholding

New Jersey 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 New Jersey?: 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. New Jersey state unemployment kicks in once you exceed the state's wage threshold - typically the first $44,800 of wages.
What is the New Jersey SUI rate for a new household employer?: New household employers in New Jersey start at 2.8%, applied to the first $44,800 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 New Jersey require State Disability Insurance (SDI)?: Yes. New Jersey requires SDI contributions: 0.19% (both-paid). SDI funds short-term disability benefits for employees who can't work due to non-work-related illness or injury.
Does New Jersey require Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)?: Yes. New Jersey requires PFML contributions totaling 0.23% of wages up to $171,100 per employee. The employee share is 0.23% and the employer share is 0%.
How much state income tax do I withhold for a New Jersey nanny?: New Jersey 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 New Jersey?: 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 New Jersey: 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 New Jersey 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.