From Cultural Exchange to Tax Forms: What Au Pairs Should Know in the U.S

From Cultural Exchange to Tax Forms: What Au Pairs Should Know in the U.S

Being an Au Pair in the United States is an incredible experience — you get to live with an American family, improve your English, travel, and experience everyday U.S. life in a unique way.

But there’s one part of the experience that often catches Au Pairs off guard: taxes.

If you’re working as an Au Pair in the U.S., it’s important to understand your tax responsibilities early on — so you don’t face unexpected bills or visa issues later.

Let’s break down what every Au Pair needs to know about paying taxes in the U.S., and how to manage them smoothly throughout the year.

💡 Do Au Pairs Have to Pay Taxes in the U.S.?

Yes — in most cases, Au Pairs must pay federal income tax on the stipend they receive from their host family.

Here’s the key information:

  • Au Pairs provide up to 45 hours of childcare per week.

  • The minimum weekly stipend is typically around $195.

  • This payment counts as taxable income under U.S. law.

Unlike U.S. citizens or residents, Au Pairs are considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes. This means they don’t get the standard deduction that Americans do — so their entire U.S. income is subject to tax.

Depending on where you live, you may also need to pay state or local taxes, though some states (like Florida, Texas, and Nevada) don’t have state income tax at all.

🧾 Why You Might Owe Taxes at the End of the Year

Here’s where many Au Pairs get caught off guard.

Unlike regular jobs in the U.S., federal taxes are not automatically deducted from your weekly stipend. That means no money is being withheld during the year — and when tax season arrives (by April 15), you could suddenly owe hundreds of dollars in unpaid taxes.

For example:

If you earn $195 a week for 50 weeks, that’s $9,750 in total income. As a nonresident, you may owe around 10–12% of that amount in federal taxes — roughly $975 to $1,200.

That’s a lot to pay all at once, especially on a modest weekly stipend.

📆 The Smarter Way: Paying Quarterly Estimated Taxes

To avoid that stressful April surprise, Au Pairs can make estimated tax payments to the IRS every three months.

Think of it as paying your taxes in small instalments instead of one big bill.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Calculate your total expected earnings for the year.

  2. Estimate how much tax you’ll owe (usually between 10–12% of total income).

  3. Divide that amount into four equal payments.

  4. Send one payment each quarter to the IRS.

🗓️ Typical payment deadlines:

  • April 15

  • June 15

  • September 15

  • January 15 (of the following year)

Making quarterly payments keeps you compliant — and saves you from the stress of a large tax bill later.

⚠️ What Happens If You Don’t Pay Taxes?

Some Au Pairs leave the U.S. without paying taxes — sometimes because they didn’t know they had to. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious consequences down the line.

Here’s what can happen if you don’t pay:

  • You could owe penalties and interest to the IRS.

  • Your future U.S. visa applications may be affected.

  • You might face delays or questions during future immigration processes.

Paying your taxes correctly not only keeps you compliant — it also protects your ability to return to the U.S. later for study, work, or travel.

💬 Helpful Tips for Au Pairs

✅ Keep records of all payments you receive from your host family.
✅ Set aside 10–15% of your weekly stipend for taxes.
✅ Learn your state’s tax rules — some states require filing, others don’t.
✅ File Form 1040-NR at the end of the year to report your income.
✅ Apply for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) if you don’t have one yet — you’ll need it to file taxes.

🌍 A Quick Example

Let’s say Sofia, an Au Pair from Spain, worked in California for one year.
She earned $200 per week for 50 weeks — a total of $10,000.

Since no taxes were withheld, Sofia owed approximately $1,000 in federal tax at the end of the year.
If she had paid $250 per quarter, she would have avoided any penalties — and the payment process would have felt much lighter.

🧠 Final Takeaway

Working as an Au Pair in the U.S. is an unforgettable experience — but it also comes with responsibilities.
Paying your taxes on time is part of staying compliant and making sure your visa record stays clean.

By planning ahead and paying a small amount each quarter, you can:
✨ Avoid big bills
✨ Stay stress-free during tax season
✨ Keep your U.S. record spotless for future travel or study

Remember: taxes don’t have to be scary — just something to plan for.
A little organization now will save you a lot of headaches later.