Childcare after returning to work...

Mr. & Mrs. RN

DH and I work opposite shifts, so there is only about 1-2 hours that would need to be covered for child care.  We don't have any family locally and most daycares have a minimum number of hours that you must pay for.  The time to cover is from 3:30ish till around 5, three days/week.  We think it would be perfect to have a jr. or sr. high-schooler watch our baby.  Would we need to pay taxes and all that jazz?  Or would you do this under-the-table?

Temp865949250007475

if you could find someone to do this, I would think it would be in your and their best interest to do it under the table!

ashalsup

DH and I are in the same boat, only needing childcare for about 3 hours for 2-3 days per week. We are thinking of just paying under the table bc we feel it is easier for everyone in the long run.

Mr. & Mrs. RN

I'd probably end up paying a CPA more than the babysitter to do all the tax-stuff, LOL.

alaskabride2be

I would think that you could just pay the person under the table. It would almost be like paying a babysitter that you hire for a date night. I agree with you in that you would most likely pay a CPA more to do help take the taxes out than you would pay the babysitter. You could also look into a home day-care and see if they would be more flexible.

patrickandkim

I was just reading your post and I think that sounds like a great idea.  To pay them under the table or not is tricky.  I know I do some off the clock stuff for the family of a girl I take care of and they keep track of everything, so they can use it for tax purposes.  I know it helps them with deductions because they can shell out some money at times for the extra care.

alli&pat

i think you have to pay out a certain amount per year to be required to record it for taxes.  i imagine that 5 to 10 hours per week would not reach that limit but i can't be sure.  its like what a pp said, if you take a weekly date night, you are paying that babysitter cash and not recording it.  if it were me, i'd be paying cash as well.  also, another idea may be finding a college student if you live near any type of college.  when i was a student, i worked for the same family for 4 years. 

nuttybunch

I think it would be considered a babysitter. If your care-giver doesn't plan on filing taxes with that income on it, I'd do it under the table. I never claimed babysitting income on my taxes.