What age can I hire my child?
Quick Answer
There is no federal minimum age for hiring your child in a family business. The Fair Labor Standards Act exempts children employed by their parents in non-hazardous work. The IRS has accepted children as young as 7 years old as legitimate employees. The key factors are: (1) the child can actually perform the work, (2) the work is age-appropriate, and (3) you maintain proper documentation. State laws may have additional requirements.
The Details
No Federal Minimum Age
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has exemptions for children employed by their parents in non-hazardous work. There's no age floor, only requirements that the work be appropriate.
What the IRS Looks For
When determining if child employment is legitimate, the IRS considers:
- Can the child perform the work? A 5-year-old can pick up toys; they can't do data entry.
- Is the work real? The tasks must benefit you or your business, not be made-up activities.
- Is the pay reasonable? Compensation must match market rates for similar work.
- Do you have documentation? Records proving when work was performed.
Age-Appropriate Work Examples
| Age Range | Appropriate Tasks |
|---|---|
| 4-5 | Picking up toys, making beds, watering plants, feeding pets, modeling for photos |
| 6-7 | Dusting, sweeping, emptying trash, sorting mail, labeling items |
| 8-9 | Vacuuming, loading dishwasher, filing paperwork, packaging orders |
| 10-11 | Simple cooking, data entry, taking product photos, walking dogs |
| 12+ | Most tasks with appropriate supervision and training |
State Laws May Differ
Some states have additional restrictions on child labor, especially for business employment. Always check your state's specific requirements.
What This Means for You
You can start paying your child for work at any age—as long as:
- The work is something they can actually do
- The work benefits you or your business
- The pay is reasonable for the task
- You document everything properly
Starting early matters for Roth IRA contributions. The earlier you begin, the more time compound growth has to work.
Learn more: How to Hire Your Kids: The Complete Guide
Sources
- DOL Fact Sheet #43: Child Labor Provisions
- IRS Family Help: Employing Family Members
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