District of Columbia nanny & household employment guide
Everything a family or nanny needs to know about household employment law in District of Columbia: overtime, payroll taxes, and workers' compensation. This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.
Overtime rules in District of Columbia
- Live-out overtime begins after 40 hours/week.
- Live-in overtime begins after 40 hours/week.
- Overtime multiplier: 1.5x.
D.C.'s Domestic Worker Employment Rights Amendment Act requires 1.5x after 40 hours for live-out and live-in workers.
Payroll taxes in District of Columbia
Federal (applies everywhere): Social Security 6.2% and Medicare 1.45% from both employer and employee, plus FUTA at 0.6% on the first $7,000 (employer only).
District of Columbia state taxes:
- State unemployment (SUTA, employer): 2.70% on the first $9,000 of wages.
- State income tax (employee, estimated effective): ~6.25%.
- Other state employer taxes: 0.26%.
State disability / paid leave: DC Paid Family Leave: 0.26% paid by employer.
Workers' compensation in District of Columbia
Required under D.C.'s Domestic Worker Employment Rights Act for any household employee.
Put it in writing
Once you have the rules straight, document the terms. The free Kindred offer letter generator builds a professional nanny offer letter covering pay, overtime, PTO, and duties. See also the nanny tax calculator and take-home pay calculator.
Hiring in District of Columbia? Post a job free on Kindred or see what nannies earn.