How to Document Paying Your Kids: The Complete Checklist
A practical checklist for family-employment agreements, work logs, payment records, and year-end worksheets. Requirements vary, and the guide does not replace payroll, tax, or legal advice.
Quick Answer
Timely records created near the work date are generally more credible than a year-end reconstruction. Common supporting material includes agreements, detailed work logs, payment evidence, and any payroll or tax forms required for the arrangement. This guide is a starting checklist, not a complete legal determination.
Why Documentation Matters
Hiring your kids is legal. But "I paid my kid for chores" without documentation is a red flag in an audit.
Here's what can go wrong:
- Wage deduction disallowed: The IRS reclassifies wages as a non-deductible gift
- Roth IRA contributions challenged: Without proof of earned income, contributions may be deemed excess
- Penalties and interest: Back taxes plus interest plus potential penalties
- FICA exemption denied: You may owe payroll taxes you thought you avoided
The solution isn't complicated. It's just having the right records from the start.
Why Timely Records Are Stronger
"Contemporaneous" means documentation created at or near the time an event occurred. Timely records are generally more credible than records reconstructed later; the exact records required depend on the employment and filing context.
What IS contemporaneous:
- A work log entry made the same day the work was performed
- A timesheet signed weekly
- Server-timestamped records that capture when each entry was created
What is NOT contemporaneous:
- A spreadsheet filled in at year-end
- Work logs created during an audit
- "We remember what they did" testimony
Why this matters: Editable spreadsheets can be changed later and do not, by themselves, establish when an entry was created. Server timestamps and linked payment evidence can strengthen the record, but no format guarantees that an agency or court will accept a claim.
Complete Documentation Checklist
Before Employment Starts
Written Employment Agreement
Includes job title, duties, pay rate, and terms of employment. Signed by parent and child (or parent on child's behalf if very young).
Job Description
Detailed description of tasks the child will perform. Should be specific enough that an outsider can understand the work.
Rate Justification
Documentation of how you determined the pay rate is reasonable. Market research, comparable rates, etc.
Ongoing Records
Work Logs / Timesheets
For each work session: date, hours worked, tasks performed. Created at the time of work, not later.
Payment Records
Documentation of every payment: date, amount, method. Checks and bank transfers create automatic paper trails. Cash does not.
Work Product (when applicable)
Photos of completed work, saved files they created, before/after images. Not required but helpful.
Year-End Documents
W-2
Required for all employees, including your children. Reports total wages paid during the year.
Annual Work Summary
Summary of total hours, tasks performed, and wages earned during the year.
Payment Reconciliation
Summary showing: total earned vs. total paid vs. amount owed. Helps for tax filing and Roth IRA contribution limits.
Roth IRA Contribution Memo
Documentation of earned income supporting the Roth IRA contribution. Shows the connection between work and contribution.
DIY vs. Using a Tool
You have options for maintaining these records. Here's an honest comparison:
DIY Spreadsheet
Pros:
- Free
- You control everything
- No learning curve if you know spreadsheets
Cons:
- No server timestamps (editable at any time)
- No audit trail (who changed what, when)
- Easy to forget to update
- You have to create all documents manually
- Harder to defend in an audit
employkids
Pros:
- Server-timestamped records (tamper-evident)
- Full audit trail with edit history
- Auto-generated employment agreements
- One-click year-end tax packet
- Built specifically for this use case
Cons:
- $299/year (Home) or $499/year (Pro)
- Another tool to learn
Full Payroll (Gusto, QuickBooks)
Pros:
- Handles W-2 filing automatically
- Direct deposit
- Full payroll compliance
Cons:
- $40-100+/month per employee
- Overkill for 1-4 kids
- Doesn't focus on documentation (just payroll processing)
- No Roth IRA tracking
Our take: If you're just hiring your kids (not running payroll for other employees), a purpose-built tool like employkids is the sweet spot, more defensible than spreadsheets, more affordable than full payroll, and built for this specific use case.
What Auditors Actually Look For
If you're ever audited, here's what the IRS will examine:
1. Was the work real?
They'll want to see evidence that your child actually performed work. Detailed work logs with specific tasks are more convincing than vague entries like "helped around the house."
2. Was the pay reasonable?
$50/hour for a 10-year-old filing papers won't hold up. They'll compare your rates to market rates for similar work. The more unusual your rate, the more justification you need.
3. Were records contemporaneous?
This is the big one. They'll ask when records were created. Server timestamps prove creation date. Editable spreadsheets don't.
4. Is there an edit trail?
If records were changed, was the original preserved? Tools with audit logs show complete history. Spreadsheets show only the current version.
5. Do payments match work?
Did you pay for work that was actually logged? Payments without corresponding work entries are suspicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "contemporaneous" documentation mean?
Contemporaneous means documentation created at or near the time work was performed. Timely records are generally more credible than a year-end reconstruction, but requirements vary by context.
Do I need to issue a W-2 to my child?
It depends on the employment context, wages, and withholding. Review the current Form W-2 instructions and, for household work, IRS Publication 926. employkids provides a worksheet, not a filed W-2.
Can I use a spreadsheet to track my child's work?
You can. Because ordinary spreadsheets can be edited without a built-in audit trail, preserve supporting evidence and change history. Server timestamps can help establish when an entry was created.
What if I forget to log work when it happens?
Log it as soon as you remember, but note that it was logged late. With server-timestamped tools, the late entry will be visible in the audit trail. Note the delay and retain the evidence used for the entry; undisclosed reconstruction may reduce the record's credibility.
Do I need to keep records for previous years?
Yes. The IRS generally has 3 years to audit, or 6 years if there's substantial underreporting. Keep all records for at least 7 years to be safe.
Sources
- IRS Publication 334: Tax Guide for Small Business
- IRS Recordkeeping Requirements: What Records to Keep
- IRS Family Help: Employing Family Members
Related Guides
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Best Tools for Documenting Family Employment (2026)
Compare your options for documenting family employment: employkids, DIY spreadsheets, Gusto, and QuickBooks Payroll. Find the right tool for your needs and budget.
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