Paying Au Pairs For Extra Tasks (House work)

[roses2]

I'm considering offering my au pair (age 29) extra money to do more tasks around the house eg clean the house, laundry, empty bins etc. I'd offer her the same rate as a normal cleaner - £10/hour and would expect this to be around an additional £50/week for her if she does this.

I am pretty sure she will say yes as she is leaving in August & is trying hard to save money. I was wondering if anyone else offers this and whether it works well for both parties? I am quite particular about my cleaning and like it done to a particular standard!

It's basically like a house keeper. Just to be clear I would be paying her the same rate and it would be on mutual agreement.

Just to add she currently works around 20 hours/week providing wrap around care for my 2 DS. 1.5 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the late afternoon. She is free every day from 9am - 4pm and she finishes working for me at 6pm. She babysits 2-3 times per month in the evening.

Would it interfere with her au pair visa? I don't have an au pair so genuine question. Would it tip the balance from pocket money/ expenses to employee?

Tbh no one would know if you did.

My only concern would be that she wouldn't meet your standards and it would be stressful for you both. Or she'd end up doing extra hours for free to meet them

You would need to register as her employer and pay tax.

I think it’s absolutely fine, I’ve done that in the past with some of my aupairs who were more than happy to make extra money! And pocket money for 20 hours + £50 will most likely be below the threshold to register as an employer.

Threshold for registration is £118 per week. www.gov.uk/paye-for-employers

I don't think that threshold applies as the base pay is defined as "pocket money" rather than salary?

www.gov.uk/au-pairs-employment-law/au-pairs

Au pairs may have to pay Income Tax and National Insurance, depending on how much pocket money they get.

Pocket money is counted for tax and NI purposes, as per the link you provide.

roses yes it does, you need to pay below £118 to not have to register as an employer.

Whilst in theory you should register as an employer, ultimately it’s your choice and in reality, I don’t know a single family who’s ever registered as an employer to pay their au-pairs, despite all of them paying above the threshold (not saying they’re right but that’s the reality).

Thank you - although I do think that the au pair gov guidelines need to be reviewed. £75-80/week is no longer the going rate!

The reason I'm a bit anal about it all, is that 10 years ago it was the done thing to pay nannies cash in hand and not declare earnings to HMRC. 2 families I knew at the time, pissed off their nannies (one was completely justified, the other less so) and their nannies duly reported them to HMRC.

The smallish fine wasn't the worse thing, it was HMRC trawling through the last 7 years of their tax history.

It's unlikely to happen to you OP as your au pair is leaving soon, but I just wouldn't risk it.