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Massachusetts Nanny Tax Guide

2026

Last updated: February 10, 2026

Has State Income Tax
Quick Facts
ItemValue
Minimum Wage$15.00/hr
Pay FrequencyWeekly or bi-weekly; within 6 days of period end
Overtime Rules1.5x after 40 hrs/week; live-in employees ALSO qualify
Record Retention3 years
State Income Tax
Required

Withholding Form: M-4

Unemployment Insurance
Registration Required:Required

Registration: Register online

Workers' Compensation
Required

Threshold: 16+ hrs/week

Paid Family & Medical Leave

Program: Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)

ItemValue
Employee ContributionYes
Max Weeks26 weeks

Yes -- <11 employees: earned (can be unpaid); max 40 hrs/year; Yes -- employee contribution 0.46% of gross wages

Paid Sick Leave
Required

Accrual Rate: Earned sick time

Annual Cap: 40 hrs

Yes -- <11 employees: earned (can be unpaid); max 40 hrs/year; Yes -- employee contribution 0.46% of gross wages

New Hire Reporting

Deadline: Within 20 days of hire

Written Contract Required
Required

Threshold: 16+ hrs/week

Must be in employee language

Special Requirements
State-Specific

Live-in protections: 30 days notice + housing or 2-week severance for termination without cause; free phone/internet access required; written job evaluations at 3 months and annually; maternity leave 8 weeks unpaid; Notice of Rights for Domestic Workers required (available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog)

Required Forms
State Withholding Allowance Certificate
at-hire

Form M-4

Massachusetts state income tax withholding form

Purpose: Employee completes for state tax withholding

Form M-4
as-needed

Massachusetts state form

Purpose: State compliance

Massachusetts Directory of New Hires
as-needed

Massachusetts state form

Purpose: State compliance

Key Deadlines
DeadlineDateDescriptionFrequency
New Hire ReportingWithin 20 days of hireReport new employees within 20 days to the state
at-event
Sources
Poppins Payroll State Resources
MEDIUM
Accessed: February 10, 2026

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