ok, be honest, mums who employ nannies- do you...

[miniegg]

do it all by the book and pay tax? we're all anonymous here, so...??
I'm only just embarking on this and not sure whether everybody does it properly or whether a lot of people just don't bother, because for one thing, you never quite know how long the arrangement is going to last etc.
I'm going to be taking on a part time au pair/mother's help type. She's only 22 and is on a gap year from school in Germany, before going to university there. She'll be working for us between 30 and 40 hours a week. I'm not sure how long she'll be with us - could be months, or could be a year.Do i REALLY need to go through all the tax palava?
And yes, I do know about that nannytax website. Scary.

maybe you're right, quattro. but they could also be conscientious objectors. I suppose, unfortunately, you can't be the second, without being the first!
Squiffy, any idea who runs the advice line? HMRC? it sounds useful.
Frannikin, what does a nanny need to get OFSTED registered? Do they need qualifications? It sounds a good idea.

• 12 hour paediatric 1st Aid
• CRB check through OFSTED
• insurance from Morton Michel, Nannyinsure, NCMA or similar
• proof of core skills the CACHE ICP is the most readily available. Most qualifications are covered if your nanny is already qualified, but it's worth a check.
• proof of identity and address

The OFSTED website might help. Alternatively Nannytax have some good FAQs here

Once your nanny is registered you can also claim the childcare element of working tax credit.

Hope that helps!

that's brilliant, thanks. will look into it properly.