Referral
Tell your boss, treat yourself
Interested in getting paid the Poppins way? Share it with your employer! If they sign up, you’ll get a $100 thank-you bonus. It’s that simple — and you’ll both be happier for it. (Terms and eligibility apply).
Get paid the Poppins way
It’s more than just a paycheck. Getting paid through Poppins helps you build financial stability — with accurate records and contributions that can count toward benefits like Social Security or unemployment.
Payroll that puts you first
When your employer runs payroll with Poppins, you get more than money in the bank. You get peace of mind.
- Paydays you can count on – On time. Every time.
- A future you’re building now – Your Social Security and Medicare contributions stack up to real retirement benefits later.
- Support for you – Got questions about your pay, benefits, or taxes? Just call us. We promise to pick up in seconds.
Perks, protections, and peace of mind
- Taxes and withholdings, handled – We take care of your required tax withholdings based on your elections and current tax laws.
- Financial credibility that counts – Need to rent an apartment, buy a car, or apply for a credit card? Having verifiable income helps demonstrate financial stability. Find pay history and paystubs anytime in your employee cubby.
- Benefits you deserve – In many states, legal pay can give you access to disability, family leave, and unemployment benefits.
Reference letter builder
Job hunting? Apartment shopping? With Poppins, you can send a quick request to your employer for a reference letter — right from your employee cubby. Fast, documented, and hassle-free.
How it works
How it works for you
Log in anytime to see your pay history, download paystubs, check your benefits, or request a reference letter — all in one place.
1
Your employer signs up with Poppins.
2
You get paid.
3
We handle the withholdings — you keep the rest, with records available any time.
FAQs
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
What is included for $49 a month¹?
The $49/month subscription fee includes household payroll services for one employee. It covers payroll processing, tax payments, quarterly filings, and year-end tax documents (W-2, W-3, and Schedule H) for active accounts.
Poppins handles federal and state tax account registrations as required, based on applicable employment laws and thresholds. You can manage payroll through your personalized dashboard — choosing weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly pay schedules (unless restricted by state rules).
We can process payments by direct deposit or you can issue checks (or electronic transfers) yourself. At the end of each quarter, we’ll collect the applicable state and federal taxes and submit them along with all required reports.
If your account is closed before the end of a quarter or calendar year, preparation or submission of those filings will be billed separately. Additional fees may apply for state registrations, amended filings, or prior-period payroll adjustments.
Who counts as a household employee?
Nannies, babysitters, and most in-home childcare providers are household employees because you determine their schedule, workplace, and responsibilities.
How much can I pay my nanny before I owe taxes?
If you pay more than $2,800 in a year or $1,000 in a quarter, you must pay Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment taxes, plus any state-specific taxes.
Is Poppins nationwide?
Yes! Poppins is available in every state in the US, with experts who know the ins and outs of every state’s rules.
Why shouldn’t I just pay under the table?
Legal pay gives your nanny benefits like Social Security and Medicare credits, unemployment insurance, and in some states, disability or paid family leave — while protecting you from fines or legal issues.
Does Poppins handle small business payroll?
We specialize in household payroll only — it’s a different world from business payroll. For small businesses, we recommend our trusted partner, Gusto.
What forms does my nanny need to complete?
Your nanny must fill out Form I-9 (to verify work eligibility) and Form W-4 (for federal tax elections), plus any state tax forms. Poppins provides and guides you through them.
Do I need a written contract with my nanny?
Some states require one, but even if yours doesn’t, a written agreement is highly recommended. Poppins provides sample contracts you can customize.
How early should I sign up for Poppins Payroll before my nanny starts?
You can create your Poppins account any time before your nanny’s first paycheck.
We recommend completing full onboarding about one week before your nanny’s start date. This includes linking a valid U.S. bank account and adding your employee’s information.
Giving yourself that week ensures everything is ready before the first payroll run. Since Poppins processes payroll in arrears, your nanny will be paid one full week after the work week is completed.
Will Poppins handle all my tax filings?
Yes. For active customers, we prepare, file, and pay all required federal, state, and local taxes on time, every time, with guaranteed accuracy. Plus, we also handle year-end W-2s and employer forms for active customers.
If I’m in a nanny share, do all the families have to pay nanny taxes?
Yes. Each family is considered a separate household employer. That means each sets up their own Poppins account and issues their own W-2s. We’ll guide you through it step by step.
What if I’m in a nanny share and I need to pay two different hourly rates?
We’ve got you covered. You can set multiple hourly rates (plus overtime and reimbursements) right in your dashboard.
Why should I use a payroll provider that specializes in household employers?
Because household payroll is trickier than business payroll. We focus only on families like yours, so we know the rules inside out — from overtime laws to PTO accruals.