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Understanding Caregiver Taxes: Who Pays the Taxes for In-Home Caregivers and Workers?

Taxes are confusing. Caregiver taxes can be even more-so. Are they an employee? What can you deduct? We answer it all here.

Few things are as confusing and complicated as taxes—particularly caregiver taxes. There are so many different forms to fill out and boxes to check. Things can get even more complicated if you employ a home health aide to provide care for someone in your family.

In this guide, we walk you through the basics of who must pay what taxes for in-home caregivers and workers.

Are Home Health Aides Your Employee?

image of a male caregiver helping out an older woman. do you need to pay taxes for the caregiver?

When it comes to hiring a caregiver, you generally have two options:

When you go through a licensed home care company, all of the workers are considered their employees and, as such, their wages are subject to taxes. The company is responsible for withholding employee payroll taxes from each paycheck. The caregiver is employed and paid by the home care company, whom you then pay for their services.

If you choose to hire an independent in-home caregiver, then that person would most likely be considered your household employee. Even if they sign a caregiving contract or consider themselves to be an independent contractor, you are still their employer and are responsible for the duties that come with that position.

Independent Contractor vs. Employee

Several primary factors determine whether an individual is classified as an employee or an independent contractor.

  • The level of control you have over their work: If you direct the caregiver’s day-to-day work, then they are likely an employee. If you have the right to control what the caregiver does, then they are your employee.
  • Financial control and investment: If the caregiver doesn’t have significant financial investments into performing their job and can’t make a profit or loss from doing their job, they are your employee.
  • Type of relationship: If you have a written contract or ongoing relationship with the caregiver, they are likely your employee.

As AgingCare notes:

Unlike household employees, self-employed individuals (including independent contractors) determine how they do their work and furnish their own equipment and supplies. Most independent caregivers are not independent contractors.

Given these factors, in most cases, an independent caregiver will be your employee. If the caregiver is regarded as an employee, then their employer must withhold income taxes and pay Social Security, Medicare, and federal/state unemployment taxes on the wages given to them. In some cases, you will also be required to provide worker’s compensation for your caregiver. Failure to provide this coverage can be considered a criminal offense.

To summarize, if you hire a caregiver from a home care company, the company is responsible for paying taxes on their wages. On the other hand, if you hire an independent caregiver then you are probably responsible for paying taxes as their employer. It’s important to understand your responsibility and make sure that all of the proper payroll taxes are being paid or else it could lead to legal consequences.

Note: if you’re not sure whether or not you must pay taxes for your in-house caregiver, it’s best to consult an expert in the matter, such as a lawyer.

Withholding and Paying Caregiver Taxes

older man and his caregiver - do you need to withhold her caregiver taxes?

Now that you know the general principles of who pays the taxes for in-home caregivers and workers, you need to know how to go about withholding and paying them.

Whether you need to pay Medical or Social Security taxes depends specifically on how much the caregiver was paid that year. In 2022, it was necessary to pay Medical and Social Security taxes if the caregiver’s wages exceeded $2,400 that year. Caregivers typically pay 15.3% of their wages in Medicare and Social Security taxes, with both you and the caregiver splitting the cost evenly at 7.65%.

So, for example, if you paid a caregiver $10,000 over the course of the year, the total amount owed in Medical and Social Security taxes is $1,530. You and the caregiver would each pay $765.

If you pay a caregiver more than $1,000 in any quarter during the year, you are also required to pay Federal Unemployment Taxes. For the first $7,000 earned, the Federal Unemployment Taxes rate is 6%. You do not split this amount with the caregiver – you are responsible for the entire amount.

So, for example, if you paid a caregiver $5,000 over the course of a year, the total amount owed in Federal Unemployment Taxes is $300. You would be responsible for this entire amount.

In addition, you may also need to pay state taxes as well. The rules vary from state to state and can become complicated quickly so it’s important to understand the tax laws in your area before hiring an in-home caregiver. For example, some states require you to pay income tax, while others don’t. The same goes for unemployment taxes.

Again, if you’re not familiar with your state’s tax laws, it’s best to hire an expert, such as an accountant or lawyer, who can help you navigate this tricky area.

It’s important that you always maintain thorough records of wages and taxes paid related to caregivers. You are required by law to maintain each year’s tax records for four years after whichever is later:

  1. The due date of the tax return
  2. When the taxes were paid

To maintain high-quality records, make note of the following every time you pay a caregiver:

  • Wages, including both monetary (cash, check, etc.) and non-monetary (food, clothing, etc.)
  • Federal income tax withheld
  • State income tax withheld (if appropriate)
  • Social Security tax withheld or paid on behalf of your employee
  • Medicare withheld or paid on behalf of your employee

1099s For Caregivers

You may think that you’re required to give a 1099-NEC to the caregiver in the rare event that they are classified as an independent contractor. In reality, this is not usually the case. The 1099-NEC is used by businesses to report non-employee compensation. Hiring a caregiver does not make you a business, which means you would not need to file a 1099-NEC.

If a caregiver does actually qualify to be an independent contractor rather than a household employee, they are responsible for reporting the income they received from you and paying the appropriate taxes on it.

If the caregiver is an employee, you are required to provide them a W-2 documenting the wages you paid them, as well as any taxes that were deducted from their wages.

It’s important to note that there are penalties for failing to file W2s or 1099s. According to the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, you can be penalized up to $100 per form if you fail to send accurate versions of them in a timely manner. You can be penalized the same amount if you don’t provide the proper forms to the caregiver.

Tax Deductions For Paying Caregivers

caregiver sewing with older woman

The good news is that there are tax breaks available for you related to caregiver expenses. These deductions and credits can both save you money on your taxes and make it less burdensome to hire a caregiver.

Although the IRS has stated that you may not be able to receive both a Child and Dependent Care Credit and Medical Deduction for the same expense, hiring and paying for a caregiver can still provide tax deductions on your return. The credit or deduction is based upon which one would provide greater savings, so make sure to research all of your options.

So how do you know if you qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit? If you paid a caregiver to provide services to an individual in one of the following categories, you may be eligible:

  • A dependent child who is under the age of 13
  • A spouse who lived with you for more than half the year and is physically or mentally unable to care for themselves
  • A person who lived with you for more than 50% of the year, cannot physically or mentally care for themselves, and was your dependent or could be your dependent

If you’re not sure whether you qualify for this tax deduction, the IRS provides additional information.

As of 2022, the Child and Dependent Care Credit was as much as $3,000 for a caregiver who took care of one qualifying person and $6,000 for a caregiver who took care of more than one.

In order to deduct money paid to a caregiver as medical expenses on your taxes, certain criteria must be met:

  1. The caregiver is a licensed medical professional
  2. The medical expenses are for your dependent (including adult dependents)
  3. The deductions must be itemized, rather than taking the standard deduction

When Your Caregiver Is A Family Member

When your caregiver is also a family member, there may be specific rules that come into play. In many cases, Social Security taxes and Medicare are not required to be paid on wages provided to a relative.

As the IRS notes:

If the caregiver employee is a family member, the employer may not owe employment taxes even though the employer needs to report the caregiver’s compensation on a Form W-2.

This is another situation where consulting with an expert can be helpful. They can guide you exactly on what you must pay when the caregiver is a member of your family.

Have another question? Ask an expert.

Our team is here for you. If you have a question about caring for an older adult or other member of your family—be it physical, legal, medical, financial, or anything in between—we’ll have one of our Trusted Advisors get back to you ASAP.

7 thoughts on “Understanding Caregiver Taxes: Who Pays the Taxes for In-Home Caregivers and Workers?

  1. Mom has a caregiver/companion that makes her own hours. She tells us what day she will be at moms and comes 2 to 3 hrs a day depending on her other job.. 3 of us plan around the care giver schedule to make sure that Mom gets her meds and a nutritious meal every day. My question is does Mom 1099 her?

    1. It’s great that your family is so dedicated to caring for your mom. Regarding your tax question about whether your mom should issue a 1099 form to her caregiver, it largely depends on the nature of the caregiver’s work arrangement.

      If the caregiver is working as an independent contractor, particularly if she sets her own hours and doesn’t receive benefits, like health insurance or paid leave from your mom, then she likely falls into this category. In this case, if your mom paid her more than $600 in a year, IRS rules generally require that a 1099-NEC form be issued to report these payments.

      Make sure your mom has all the necessary information, such as the caregiver’s Social Security number or Taxpayer Identification Number, to complete the form accurately.

      While we can provide a basic understanding, it’s always a good idea to consult with a tax professional for personalized advice. They can offer guidance specific to your situation and ensure everything is handled correctly.

      In short, if the caregiver is an independent contractor and was paid over $600, a 1099-NEC form is likely needed. However, for complete clarity and to ensure you’re following all tax laws correctly, seeking advice from a tax expert is the best course of action.

  2. My dad and step mother had me move in with step mother’s mother for over 2 years to care for her. The required me to work 12 hours days, six days a week. They told me what day I was able to take off and gave me a week off on Christmas every year. They payed me $700. A week. They paid for my meals. Each tax period they told me to file a 1099 and helped me file my taxes. Then I paid the required out of pocket. It always seemed so unfair. They said they were giving me a place to live without charge but I had a place to live. It was an hour and a half a way and it was more convenient for me to be there in case there mother needed help in the middle of the night. Was inmis classified?

  3. I’m a caretaker for my mother in law..24 hour care, she’s also 90 % blind, I live hear & I am the only one who provides her care. This is all very confusing to me & scary as well…my retirement is right around the corner, I am not registered yet with IRS, I dont know how to go about this. I provide my transportation for her care. Recently my car broke down & resulting with a costly expense. Depending on how I file would this determine on getting these expenses returned at the end of tax year?

    1. In your situation, where you’re providing full-time care for your mother-in-law, considering registering as self-employed might be a wise step. This status could potentially make some of your expenses, like those car trips for her care, tax-deductible. How you file taxes does have an impact on the deductions you can claim. However, every situation is unique, so it’s crucial to discuss this with a tax expert. They can provide specific advice based on your circumstances, ensuring you’re on the right track.

  4. Mother lives with sister who is her caregiver 24 hours a day I pay system monthly for taking care of mother from mom’s monthly income. How do I file taxes for Mom if 95% of her income goes to my sister the caregiver

    1. It sounds like you’re doing an amazing job supporting both your mom and sister, but I get it—taxes can feel like a Rubik’s cube wrapped in red tape! When it comes to filing taxes for your mom in this situation, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Let’s break it down, Oprah style, so it’s clear and actionable for you.

      1. Mom’s Tax Filing
      Even if most of your mom’s income is going toward your sister’s caregiving, the IRS still sees that income as taxable under your mom’s name unless specific deductions or exclusions apply. This means you’ll likely need to file a tax return on behalf of your mom, depending on her total income. The IRS has thresholds for when seniors must file, which is around $14,250 if she’s over 65 and receiving Social Security, but that doesn’t count some untaxed Social Security income. You’d want to verify her exact situation based on her income sources.

      2. Claiming Your Sister as a Paid Caregiver
      Since your mom is paying your sister from her income for caregiving, you’ll need to consider whether this can be treated as a formal arrangement. If your sister’s caregiving is being treated as a paid job, it could be seen as a form of employment income for her. Depending on how much she’s paid, your mom may even need to issue a W-2 form to your sister for tax purposes. Yes, it feels weird when family is involved, but the IRS doesn’t look at it emotionally—they’re all about the paper trail.

      If the payments to your sister qualify, your mom might be able to deduct some of those caregiving expenses as a medical expense deduction if they exceed 7.5% of her adjusted gross income. This deduction could help reduce her taxable income, but you’ll want to consult a tax professional to get the details right.

      3. Are You or Your Sister Claiming Mom as a Dependent?
      Here’s where it gets even more interesting: Depending on who provides more than half of your mom’s support (like food, housing, and medical care), you or your sister might be able to claim her as a dependent. Claiming a dependent can sometimes open up tax breaks, like the Dependent Care Credit, which might help with costs related to caregiving.

      If your sister provides the bulk of your mom’s care and support, she might be the one eligible to claim her. However, the IRS typically allows only one person to claim a dependent, so you and your sister will want to coordinate.

      4. Don’t Forget About State Taxes
      Some states have specific rules or benefits related to elder care or paying a family caregiver. Be sure to check your state’s guidelines to see if any extra deductions or credits apply at the state level!

      In short, it’s not the simplest process, but you’re definitely on the right track by asking. Here’s the next step: Talk with a tax advisor or accountant who can help you figure out the best way to manage taxes for your mom’s situation, especially with the caregiving dynamic involved. They’ll help you navigate the nitty-gritty of IRS rules so you can file everything properly without missing out on any tax benefits.

      Also, don’t hesitate to check out our Caregiver Resources for more helpful tips and info as you continue managing your mom’s care!

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