Babysitting - What's the Going Rate?

[chefsteph07]

Not always... I guess that's the difference between a babysitter and a nanny though. Parents can claim the money spent for a sitter on their taxes, and if they pay a sitter more than $1500 in a year, they have to file a special form for it. Legally, sitters are also supposed to report what they make as income on their taxes as well. So, sometimes they end up paying out come tax time. Of course, in this case, I'm sure its a casual sitting arrangement where they will pay in cash and not claim it. So I think it is all relevant to the individual situation.

I know the original poster was talking about an occasional evening sitter who is in high school, but I thought I'd post this anyways because others who reference the thread may be in different situations.

I think that's "childcare" as opposed to a once in a while babysitter...I certainly do not spend $1500 a yr on my babysitter! W/ childcare, there is a special tax credit that you can take.

 

[niktim3]

I have a 2.5 and 5.5 year old... I just came out and asked!! They were honest, and asked for $10 an hour. We live in New England... so that may be the cause. However, when we do find sitters.. they are old enough to drive here and home. I always worry about the stories some of htese kids come up with!! Hope that helps!

 

[purrbal]

I think that's "childcare" as opposed to a once in a while babysitter...I certainly do not spend $1500 a yr on my babysitter! W/ childcare, there is a special tax credit that you can take.

Right I consider daycare/nanny's completely different to a babysitter watching the kids for errands/evening out for date night or a show.

 

[tpchefrebecca]

I used to pay $5 an hour but i'm about to change that. I think $7 while they are awake and $5/hr while they are asleep. I have 2 kids 9 & 5. The 5 is more time consuming than 9. Plus, my sitters are next door so I don't have to pick up or drop off. Plus this will only be in dire situations now that I have joined a co-op. I don't go out as much as I used to but I also do more cat shows too than cooking shows. So it definitly helps.

 

[cathyskitchen]

We pay our babysitters between $8 - $10 an hour for our 2 kids (ages 9 & 6). We also tip 20% - that's what everyone in our area does, so if we want a babysitter on a Saturday night so we can go out on a "date night", that's what we pay. IMO, it's worth every penny. I'd rather stay married to my DH than pay for a divorce - that's MUCH more expensive than any babysitter would charge!!

 

[Jenni]

I guess I am cheap... I pay my 14 year old niece to watch my 7 year old son three dollars an hour. If I am gone for like 6 hours I pay her $20 and she is thrilled!!! Not that she has to do much for a seven year old...

 

[cathyskitchen]

We usually hire 18 yo and older - age makes a big difference.

 

[daniellemorgan]

We also tip 20% -

I've been in the service industry my whole working life, so I feel like I will die if I don't tip well. I never tip below 30%. Which leads me to why I never go out and why I don't ever really have to overpay my babysitter. :balloon: