The Right Way to Put Your Kids on Payroll in 2025
It's the most wonderful time of the year: back-to-school season.
Parents are celebrating, and social media is flooded with "tax experts" claiming you can save a fortune by hiring your kindergartener as a $15,000/year model for your business.
These posts resurface like clockwork every August, leaving parents wondering, “Can I do this?”
The short answer? There's a kernel of truth buried under a mountain of oversimplification.
The gap between these social media claims and what actually works is significant. And the gap between what's legal and what's worth your time is even bigger.
Let’s walk through what works, what doesn't, and how to implement this strategy the right way.
The Strategy That Works
The strategy is straightforward: You hire your children to do real work in your business, pay them a reasonable wage, and your business deducts that expense.
Your child then pays taxes (if any) at their much lower tax rate.
For 2025, the numbers look attractive. Standard deduction for single filers: $15,000
Meaning: Your child can earn up to $15,000 in W-2 income without paying a dollar in federal income tax.
But here's where social media "experts" miss the critical details:
- The work must be legitimate and necessary
- Your business structure changes everything
Sole Proprietorships vs. S-Corps: A Critical Distinction
Sole proprietorships and parent-only partnerships get the best tax treatment:
- No payroll taxes (FICA - Social Security/Medicare) on wages paid to kids under 18
- No FUTA (Federal Unemployment Tax) for kids under 21
Partnership requirement: Both partners must be parents of the child. Any outside partner eliminates these exemptions.
This means a sole proprietor can pay their 16-year-old $15,000, and neither party pays federal income tax or payroll taxes. 100% legal when done right.
If you operate as an S-Corporation, the rules change:
- No FICA Exemption: Wages paid to your children under 18 by your S-Corp are subject to FICA taxes (7.65% employer portion, 7.65% employee portion) just like any other employee. An S-Corp is a separate legal entity, and children are not exempt from payroll taxes in this relationship.
- No FUTA Exemption: FUTA taxes also apply when an S-Corp pays wages to underage children.
- Wages Are Still Deductible: Despite the added payroll costs, wages paid to your child are still a legitimate business expense if the work is real, the pay is reasonable, and it’s well documented.
Here's how it looks for an S-Corp paying a child $15,000 in 2025:
- You still get a $15,000 business deduction
- Your business owes $1,148 in employer payroll taxes (7.65%)
- Your child has ~$1,148 withheld for their portion of FICA
- Your child pays zero federal income tax thanks to the standard deduction
The 18+ Year Old Advantage
One of the most overlooked advantages is for kids 18 and older:
- You shift income to them at lower tax rates
- They can fund a Roth IRA with earned income (up to $7,000 in 2025)
- They build credit, earn income, and gain work experience
- They're not your dependent for tax purposes
Take a physician who pays their 18-year-old son $35,000/year for part-time marketing work. The business gets the write-off, the son builds his Roth IRA and credit history, and gains valuable work experience.
The Mistakes That Trigger Audits
The five biggest mistakes I see:
- No actual work performed: Your child must do real, necessary work for your business.
- Unreasonable compensation: Paying your 10-year-old $50/hour for filing paperwork will raise red flags.
- Poor documentation: Keep timesheets, job descriptions, and performance reviews.
- Ignoring employment laws: Child labor laws still apply, even in family businesses.
- Casual payment arrangements: Pay through your regular payroll system with proper withholding.
Implementation Checklist (Especially for S-Corps)
If you're serious about this strategy:
- Create a real job description tailored to the child's age and abilities
- Track hours worked and tasks completed
- Process payments through your regular payroll system
- Issue a proper W-2 at year-end (not a 1099!)
- Keep documentation: photos, work products, emails, logs
- Consider using the wages to fund a Roth IRA
Is It Worth It for S-Corp Owners?
Yes, but the margins are tighter. You WILL pay payroll taxes, but:
- Your business gets the full wage deduction
- Your child builds credit, earns income, and can invest via Roth IRA
- For high earners, shifting income from your 37% bracket to your child's 0-12% bracket creates real savings
The Bottom Line
Hiring your children isn't a "tax hack." It's a legitimate, IRS-approved strategy when done right. It works best when:
- Your child does real work appropriate to their age
- Wages are documented and processed through your payroll system with proper withholding
- You choose roles that help your business
- You accept that payroll taxes apply for S-Corps (but savings remain)
Done right, this strategy helps your business, your tax situation, and your child's financial future. Done wrong, it's audit bait.
If you're considering implementing this strategy, talk with a qualified tax advisor who understands the nuances.
Back-to-school brings structure to chaos. Apply that same discipline to your tax strategy. The tax savings are real, but only when you do your homework.