Kelly Farling

Now is the perfect time to secure your childcare plans by becoming a host family.

Families are matching currently with au pairs that arrival in June.  Here’s your chance to apply this weekend with a terrific discount and begin matching with an au pair that could start their year with your family this summer.

During the May Madness offering, new families who apply between Friday, May 4th and Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 are eligible for a waived application fee ($75) and a ($350) program fee discount. To qualify for the blitz savings families must host an au pair by October 5th, 2012 and take an au pair for a minimum of 30 weeks.
AND, to offer even more incentive - families who apply during this time will receive an additional $400 program fee discount if they select their au pair by May 31st, 2012 - for a total savings of up to $825!

Contact me at (646)528-5355

servings families and au pairs in westchester!

Cultural Care is hosting a Family Event at Manhattanville College on Saturday, April 28 at 1PM. (This will also be the monthly au pair meeting!)

The Manhattanville Baseball team will be playing a double-header so we can watch the big boys play and socialize among ourselves.  Hopefully, we will have some beautiful weather so we can meet each other and
enjoy a fun outdoor day.

We will have snacks and beverages for everyone.  Please join us and  feel free to bring any families you know.

The address is:  2900 Purchase Street

We hope to see you there.

***If it is a terribly rainy day, the game may be cancelled and the event will have to be cancelled as well.

Important Au Pair Tax Information

• The IRS considers au pairs to be “employees” of the host family for tax reasons, even though they are in the United States on a “cultural exchange” visa.  This means that au pairs are required to file U.S. individual income tax returns even though many au pairs will not owe any taxes
• By April 15, the au pair should file form 1040NR-EZ or 1040NR to report his or her au pair stipend for the previous calendar year
• In order to file income taxes in the United States, all au pairs need to have either a social security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (”ITIM”)
• Au pairs are allowed to claim a personal exemption for themselves, but are not eligible for the standard deduction in their tax filing.   As stated above, au pairs are not considered “students” by the IRS so they are also not eligible to exclude au pair wages from gross income under the student article of any U.S. income tax treaty
• Because the maximum tax burden for the vast majority of au pairs is less than $1,000, there is usually no need for the au pair to make quarterly estimated payments, or to have the host family withhold taxes.  There are some exceptions to this rule which are explained in our more detailed guide which is downloadable above.

Important Host Family Tax Information

• Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: As long as you have used the au pair’s child care services in order to work or look for employment, the stipend paid to your au pair, the costs of room and board and the program fees paid to Cultural Care are all eligible under the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.  Cultural Care’s federal tax ID number is 20-2020345
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Programs: The eligibility requirements for these programs (often called “Flex-Spending Accounts” or “FSAs”) are usually identical to those for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.  Please note that expense paid for using Dependent Care Reimbursement Program funds are not also eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
• Flex-Spending Account Paperwork: Cultural Care is happy to provide host families with a summary statement of payments received during a tax year.  We are also able to sign and complete most forms that your plan might require for reimbursement.  Please note, however, that we are only able to provide you either the total amount you paid in a given calendar year, or the amount you paid in a given calendar year with the dates of the applicable full au pair term of service (e.g. one year, six months, etc.).  Cultural Care cannot provide documentation explicitly pro-rating payments received to a specified range of dates.  Contact our office if you require any assistance in claiming a Dependent Care reimbursement
• Withholding for Au Pair Taxes: Because the maximum tax burden for the vast majority of au pairs is less than $1,000, there is no need for the au pair to make quarterly estimated payments.  In addition, because au pair wages are deemed by the IRS to be paid for domestic service in a private home, they are not subject to mandatory income tax withholding on Forms 941 and W-2 by the host family. Host families usually do not need to pay federal unemployment taxes for their au pair or to withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes.  There are some rare cases where this rule might not apply - please refer to our downloadable guide for more details
• Other Potential Host Family Tax and Financial Issues: We strongly recommend that you inquire with a professional insurance advisor about specific state laws and requirements which may include, but not be limited to, workers’ compensation insurance and state unemployment taxes

The Details:
When: Saturday, May 19th, 2012
Boarding Time: 6:30pm (please arrive by 6:00pm to check in and receive your ticket)
End Time: 10:00pm
Location: Pier 83, West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036
Ticket Price: $20 per au pair. (non-refundable) You will need to provide credit card information when you register. Tickets will not be sold on site. The cruise is exclusively for au pairs and friends. A cash only bar will be available on the boat, please be sure to bring your proper ID if you are 21+ and would like to purchase alcohol.
Deadline to Register:  submit payment by Friday, May 11, 2012.*

See you soon!

Best,

The Staff at Cultural Care Au Pair

P.S. Don’t forget to invite all of your au pair friends -

Join me and another cluster group for our March meeting

Panera Bread

Date: Thursday, March 29
Time: 7:30 pm
Place Panera Bread
1 N Broadway, #101, White Plains, NY

Please remember au pairs are only allowed to miss 2 meetings (with valid excuse)

serving families in the westchester area

(White Plains, Mamaroneck, Harrison, Purchase,Scarsdale, NY)

Families new to Cultural Care can apply for free and receive a $350 program fee discount using promo code PCMARM2012 from March 9, 2012 through March 13, 2012 when welcoming an au pair by August 31, 2012. AND, to offer even more incentive-families who apply during this time will receive an additional $400 program fee discount if they select their au pair by April 30, 2012-for a total savings of up to $825

Helping and serving families with childcare in the westchester area

Hello
 Reminder for the February Au Pair meeting: please note we will be joining another au pair group

Date:Tuesday, February 28th
Time:7:30pm
Location: New Roc City
33 LeCount Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801

We will be meeting in the bowling area.
You will have choices of a few activities - bowling, games, golf, etc.

http://www.newroccity.com/

Please let me know if you are not attending.

Our host families are a wonderful resource for new host families with a wealth of knowledge about being a host parent. Please contact me if you know anyone who is interested in hosting an au pair. I encourage you to refer families you know who may benefit from our au pair childcare program.

For each family you refer to our program, who welcomes an au pair by October 5, 2012, your family will receive a $250 referral reward! Referred host families must not have already been referred to Cultural Care Au Pair. The referral reward will be issued when the referred host family welcomes an au pair into their home. Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to host family account for more details.

http://kfarling.aupairnews.com/

Register for free (a $75 value) between now and February 6, 2012 AND save $350 on your program fee-that’s $425 in savings! Simply contact your Local Childcare Coordinator to take advantage of this special offer and enjoy the many benefits of hosting an au pair with Cultural Care.

Kelly Farling - Local Childcare Coordinator (646)528-5355

Serving the Westchester County, New York area

Affordable Childcare