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Smart Tax Planning: Hiring Your Kids in the Family Business This Summer

Summer break is just around the corner, and as a business owner, you may be considering the advantages of bringing your children into the family business for the season. Beyond the opportunity to teach valuable life skills and foster work ethic, integrating your kids into your business can offer significant tax planning benefits.

As a tax mitigation accountant serving physicians, high-income executives, and business owners in the Atlanta area, I frequently counsel clients on strategic ways to reduce tax liability while nurturing the next generation’s professional growth. If you’re exploring whether employing your children is right for your business, let’s break down both the practical steps and the considerable tax advantages—especially for those unincorporated businesses.

Why Consider Hiring Your Kids?

  • Teaching Financial Responsibility: Real-world work experience imparts lessons about earning, saving, and investing—it’s financial literacy at its best.
  • Building a Work Ethic: Working in a family-owned business can instill discipline, teamwork, and accountability.
  • Quality Family Time: Sharing the workday can strengthen relationships and create lasting family memories.
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Tax Planning Advantages

Let’s delve into some of the powerful tax strategies available when you hire your child, especially as a sole proprietor or in a partnership where both spouses are parents.

  • Income Shifting and Lower Tax Brackets: By paying your child a reasonable wage for bona fide work, you move income from your higher tax bracket to your child’s likely much lower bracket—potentially reducing the overall family tax burden.
  • Federal Income Tax Exemption: For 2024, your child can earn up to $13,850 without owing federal income tax, as long as their total income doesn’t exceed the standard deduction.
  • No Payroll Taxes for Younger Children: If your business is unincorporated and you employ your own child under age 18, both you and your child are generally exempt from Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes (FICA). This exemption can create significant savings for families operating sole proprietorships or partnerships.
  • Business Expense Deductions: Your child’s paycheck is a deductible business expense, directly reducing your self-employment income.

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Best Practices: Compliance and Documentation

Tax benefits are most robust when you follow best practices and IRS regulations.

  • Age-Appropriate Tasks: Ensure the duties assigned to your child are suitable for their age and genuinely necessary for business operations. Examples might include filing, office support, digital marketing, or customer service.
  • Reasonable Compensation: Pay your child what you would offer a similarly qualified outside employee for the same tasks. Overpaying invites IRS scrutiny.
  • Formal Payroll Process: Even if not subject to FICA, set up a formal payroll and issue a W-2 at year-end.
  • Timesheets & Records: Maintain detailed timesheets and work records to demonstrate the legitimacy of your child’s employment and the work performed.

Advanced Planning: Leveraging Income for the Future

If your child earns income, consider taking the tax savings a step further:

  • Fund a Roth IRA: Children with earned income are eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA, starting their retirement savings early and taking advantage of tax-free compound growth.
  • College Savings: Wages can be used to fund a 529 college savings plan, providing further tax benefits down the road.
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Real-World Impact: An Atlanta Tax Strategy That Works

At Physicians Financial Advisory, we’ve helped countless Georgia families and business owners implement income shifting strategies to potentially save thousands in state and federal taxes. For high-income households, every optimization counts. Whether you’re a physician group, an executive with consulting revenue, or an entrepreneur poised for asset sales, integrating your kids into your business can be a win-win—for your legacy and your bottom line.

Ready to Explore a Family-Focused Tax Plan?

If you’re unsure how to structure employment to maximize these benefits, or want to review your eligibility, I’m here to help. Let’s ensure you’re maximizing every available strategy while staying fully compliant with IRS rules.

Click on the button to schedule a 15-minute discovery call.

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