How to Hire Your Kids and Save $12,000 in Taxes (Legally)
Small Business Tax Savings Podcast
What the IRS Actually Says About Child Wages
Mike reads IRS guidance that exempts under-18 child wages from Social Security and Medicare when paid by sole proprietors.
What if you could pay your kids a salary, take a business deduction, and teach them real financial skills at the same time? In this episode, Mike Jesowshek, CPA, explains how to legally hire your children in your business, what the IRS actually allows, and how to do it correctly so you avoid audits and penalties.
You’ll learn the rules for paying your kids under age 18, how to document their work, how much you can pay them tax-free, and how this strategy can double as a wealth-building tool through Roth IRAs.
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Chapters
(01:16) Why Hire Your Kids?
There are two big reasons: tax savings and teaching opportunities. You get a business deduction, and your kids earn tax-free income while learning real work and money skills.
(02:11) Turning After-Tax Spending Into Pre-Tax Spending
Instead of paying for sports, camps, or activities with after-tax dollars, you can pay your kids from your business and let them cover those costs using pre-tax income.
(03:30) What the IRS Actually Says
Payments to children under 18 working for a parent’s sole proprietorship are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes. Mike reads the exact IRS language to prove it’s black and white in the tax code.
(04:11) How It Works in Practice
If your child earns under the standard deduction (about $15,000), they pay no income tax. You deduct their wages as a business expense, and you avoid FICA taxes if paying from a Schedule C or single-member LLC.
(06:21) Setting It Up Correctly
You need proof. Mike explains that kids must be at least 7, paid a reasonable wage, tracked for hours and tasks, paid into their own account, and issued a W2 at year-end.
(11:04) Bonus Benefit: Roth IRA
Kids can use earned income from the business to fund a Roth IRA. Mike shows how $25,000 invested by age 13 could grow to over $1 million by retirement.
(12:55) What About S Corps?
S corporations must withhold FICA taxes, but Mike explains a workaround: Splitting part of the business into a Schedule C entity to pay your kids through that side.
Podcast Host:
Mike Jesowshek, CPA – Founder and Host of Small Business Tax Savings Podcast
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🎙 ABOUT THE PODCAST
The Small Business Tax Savings Podcast is your go-to resource for cutting-edge tax strategies to help entrepreneurs legally slash their tax bills. Hosted by Mike Jesowshek, CPA, this show breaks down complex tax topics into clear, no-fluff insights so you can keep more of your hard-earned money.
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