Form 942

Form 942, titled “Employer’s Quarterly Tax Return for Household Employees,” was an IRS form used by household employers to report and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes for their household employees, such as nannies or housekeepers. It also included reporting for federal income tax withheld. However, Form 942 was discontinued after 1995 and replaced by Form 1040 Schedule H for household employment taxes. Nowadays, household employers use Schedule H filed with their personal income tax return instead of Form 942.

Key Facts

• Purpose: To report quarterly Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes withheld for household employees.‍
• Usage: Applicable only to household employers (those employing domestic workers).‍
• Discontinuation: The form was discontinued after 1995; household employers now use Schedule H.‍
• Filing Frequency: Was filed quarterly when in use.‍
• Replacement: Current tax reporting is done annually via Schedule H attached to Form 1040.

1. What was Form 942 used for?

Form 942 was used by household employers to report Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes for their household employees quarterly.

2. Is Form 942 still in use?

No, Form 942 was discontinued after 1995 and is no longer accepted by the IRS.

3. How do household employers report taxes now?

Household employers report these taxes annually using Schedule H attached to their personal income tax return (Form 1040).

4. Who qualifies as a household employee?

Individuals hired to perform domestic services in a private home, such as babysitters, nannies, housekeepers, or gardeners.

5. Can household employers still pay employment taxes quarterly?

Generally, household employers report and pay these taxes annually with Schedule H, though they may need to make estimated tax payments during the year.