Nanny tax deadlines for 2026 and early 2027
Updated November 6, 2026 · For 2026 · General information, not tax or legal advice
Dates for wages paid in calendar year 2026. Where a deadline falls on a weekend it moves to the next business day, and that adjustment is shown.
When you hire
- Within 3 business days of the start date: complete Form I-9 with your nanny. Keep it; do not send it anywhere.
- Within 20 days (sooner in some states): file the state new-hire report. Your state guide has the link.
- Before the first payday: get an EIN, collect a W-4 if the nanny wants federal income tax withheld, and register for state unemployment tax once you expect to cross the state threshold.
During 2026
- April 15, 2026: first-quarter estimated tax payment (Form 1040-ES) if you are using estimated payments to cover household taxes.
- April 30, 2026: Q1 state unemployment report and payment in most states.
- June 15, 2026: second estimated payment.
- July 31, 2026: Q2 state unemployment report.
- September 15, 2026: third estimated payment.
- November 2, 2026: Q3 state unemployment report (October 31 is a Saturday).
January and February 2027
- January 15, 2027: fourth estimated payment for 2026.
- February 1, 2027: W-2 to your nanny and W-2/W-3 to the Social Security Administration (January 31 is a Sunday). Also Q4 state unemployment report in most states, and the annual state withholding reconciliation where your state requires one.
April 2027
- April 15, 2027: Schedule H with your Form 1040, and payment of the household employment taxes. An extension extends the paperwork, not the payment.
State-specific items
A handful of states collect income tax withholding on a monthly or quarterly schedule from household employers, require an annual reconciliation form, or use a different unemployment report cadence. Pick your state in the guides for the exact list.
CareTab builds this calendar for your state and employee, pre-fills each form's figures from your pay history, and emails you a week before every due date.
Frequently asked
When are nanny W-2s due for 2026?
The W-2 to your nanny and the W-2/W-3 to the Social Security Administration are due January 31, 2027. Because that is a Sunday, the deadline moves to Monday, February 1, 2027.
When is Schedule H due?
April 15, 2027, with your 2026 Form 1040.
When are state unemployment reports due?
In most states, the last day of the month after each quarter: April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31 (February 1 in 2027). Your state guide has the exact dates and the form name.
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