Pennsylvania · Household Employer Tax Obligations
Household Employer Tax Obligations in Pennsylvania (2026)
Household employers must pay Social Security/Medicare taxes and file Schedule H when paying household workers $2,700 or more annually. Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax, so a Pennsylvania filer's combined marginal rate on the next dollar at $67,587 of income is about 25.07% (22% federal + 3.07% PA).
2026 savings example for Pennsylvania
Planning estimate for a single filer earning $67,587 (Pennsylvania median household income in LevyIO's state dataset) who removes $5,000 from taxable income. Federal tax uses the 2026 IRS brackets after the $16,100 standard deduction; PA tax uses the state brackets in LevyIO's dataset and assumes the state follows the federal treatment.
Estimated total savings
$863
Federal savings
$709
$6,039 → $5,330 · 22% bracket
PA state savings
$154
$2,075 → $1,921 · 3.07% marginal
Combined marginal rate
25.07%
≈ $251 saved per $1,000 deducted
Federal × Pennsylvania marginal rates (2026, single)
Gross-income ranges include the federal standard deduction. The PA column is the state marginal rate at the midpoint of each range. The last column is the tax saved per $1,000 deducted at that combined rate.
| Federal bracket | Gross income (single) | PA marginal | Combined | Per $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $16,100 - $28,500 | 3.07% | 13.07% | $131 |
| 12% | $28,500 - $66,500 | 3.07% | 15.07% | $151 |
| 22% | $66,500 - $121,800 | 3.07% | 25.07% | $251 |
| 24% | $121,800 - $217,875 | 3.07% | 27.07% | $271 |
| 32% | $217,875 - $272,325 | 3.07% | 35.07% | $351 |
| 35% | $272,325 - $656,700 | 3.07% | 38.07% | $381 |
| 37% | Over $656,700 | 3.07% | 40.07% | $401 |
Eligibility & forms
Household employers who pay a nanny, housekeeper, or other household worker $2,700+
- Must pay Social Security and Medicare taxes for workers paid $2,700+
- File Schedule H with your tax return
- May need to provide Form W-2 to worker
Federal forms: Schedule H, Form W-2
Pennsylvania filing notes
Local taxes can double your burden in cities. PA exempts most retirement income. Inheritance tax applies based on relationship. No deductions are allowed on PA returns.
Common mistakes: Misclassifying employees as independent contractors; Not withholding or paying employer FICA; Missing the Schedule H filing requirement.
Frequently asked questions
How much can the Household Employer Tax Obligations save a Pennsylvania taxpayer in 2026?
In LevyIO's example, a single filer with $67,587 of income (the Pennsylvania median household income in our state dataset) who removes $5,000 from taxable income saves about $709 in 2026 federal tax (22% marginal bracket) plus about $154 in Pennsylvania tax (3.07% state marginal rate), roughly $863 combined. It is a planning estimate computed from the 2026 IRS brackets and LevyIO's PA bracket data, not a survey figure.
What is the Pennsylvania income tax rate for 2026?
Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax. The PA standard deduction in LevyIO's dataset is $0 single / $0 married. Low flat 3.07%. Local taxes (Philadelphia: 3.75%). Inheritance tax (4.5-15%). Most retirement income exempt.
Who qualifies for the Household Employer Tax Obligations in Pennsylvania?
Household employers who pay a nanny, housekeeper, or other household worker $2,700+. The federal rules are the same in every state; the requirements are: Must pay Social Security and Medicare taxes for workers paid $2,700+; File Schedule H with your tax return; May need to provide Form W-2 to worker. Pennsylvania filers should confirm on the PA return whether the state follows the federal treatment.
Which forms do I file to claim the Household Employer Tax Obligations?
Federal: Schedule H, Form W-2. Pennsylvania: check the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue instructions for the matching state schedule. Common mistakes: Misclassifying employees as independent contractors; Not withholding or paying employer FICA; Missing the Schedule H filing requirement.
Household Employer Tax Obligations in other states
Sources
Reviewed 2026-09-17. Estimates are educational planning figures computed from the IRS 2026 inflation adjustments and LevyIO's state bracket dataset; they are not tax advice.