Customer Spotlight: Insights from over a Decade with NannyTax
As families grow and evolve, so do their needs, especially when it comes to balancing professional and personal life. NannyTax has been instrumental for many families in managing the payroll complexities of employing a nanny. Today, we share a candid conversation with Ami Wise, a long-time customer who has employed a nanny since his children were young. He shares his insights on how effective payroll management has made a big difference in his family’s life.
NannyTax: Thanks for joining us, Ami! Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and your family setup?
Ami: We’re based in Ottawa. We have two kids who are now 12 and 14. When we started using NannyTax, our two kids were just babies. My spouse and I are lawyers, so our schedules can be pretty hectic. Having a nanny has always been essential for us to manage our careers and family life. I recognize it’s a sizable discretionary cost, but it’s money well spent. It really is invaluable. There’s only so much time in the day and so it wasn’t just about childcare; it was also about having reliable support at home. We never really thought of not having one!
NannyTax: How did you first discover NannyTax?
Ami: I found NannyTax through my brother-in-law, who worked with Deborah Shure, the founder of NannyTax, and he recommended her. My sister and he are both professionals too. They’ve got busy lives, so the same kind of setup as our family.
NannyTax: What challenges did you face before you used NannyTax for your nanny’s payroll? Or did you start with her immediately as soon as you had a nanny?
Ami: Before partnering with NannyTax, handling our own nanny payroll was quite the challenge. I remember struggling with tax forms—I think we missed submitting something important. Honestly, it was a headache keeping track of all the monthly requirements, whether it involved payments for tax issues or WSIB remittances—I can’t quite recall all the details now. We definitely dropped the ball once and ended up with a fine. We realized that we weren’t organized enough at home to manage this effectively on our own. It’s been a huge relief having Deborah and the NannyTax team take over. They’re always on top of everything, which gives us peace of mind.
NannyTax: Tell me a little bit about the journey of onboarding with NannyTax. What was it like getting started?
Ami: It was easy. It was great. Deborah is such a professional, which we really appreciate. She’s a service provider, just like us, and she just knows what she needs to do and does it so well. There was never really any kind of issue. When there are little bumps, they’re so responsive. Whether it’s Deborah or Cherry—they just have such a good, competent team. I think it took us maybe like a week to realize, “Oh my God, how were we doing this without them?”
NannyTax: It sounds like the whole process has been pretty simple and hands-off for you.
Ami: Absolutely. If there is a request from an employee, we just inform Deborah and the team. Whether it’s someone who needs an ROE or whatever the situation is, it’s generally not overly complicated. They’re so quick to respond, and I would say I’ve rarely waited more than a day for anything we’ve needed. Just so you know, this might sound like a commercial, but that’s exactly why I agreed to do this interview. I really am so grateful for the work they do.
NannyTax: Have you had the same nanny over the years? If you had different nannies, how did NannyTax help you handle the transitions in payroll?
Ami: Over the 14 years we have been using Nanny Tax, we’ve had four different nannies. Each changeover has been pretty seamless, largely due to how Deborah and her team have managed things. It’s interesting because sometimes I find myself calling Deborah not just for payroll issues but for what I’d call informal nanny advice—it’s not exactly therapy, but it’s close. She’s such a pro, having seen so many different situations and issues, that I often ask her for advice beyond just strict bookkeeping, and she always delivers.
NannyTax: Beyond everything you’ve already described, are there any other specific features or benefits of the NannyTax service that you find particularly helpful?
Ami: There are so many reasons why I appreciate NannyTax, but let me start with one: Deborah is just a kind person and she sets the tone for the whole team. She’s compassionate and competent. They’re just so on it.
It ties into a philosophy my wife and I share—wherever we are able, we try and outsource tasks to those who are the experts. This allows us more quality time with our kids and each other. And having NannyTax’s niche service available is part of that.
And when you think about the pricing, it seems like a no-brainer, especially when you consider what you’re paying your nanny. So we’ve recommended her to anyone we know who has a nanny.
NannyTax: What advice would you give to other families that are considering a nanny?
Ami: My wife and I are strong proponents of having a nanny. We truly believe it alleviates a lot of family stress. This goes back to my point about outsourcing tasks when possible.
Currently, our children are at an age where our needs have somewhat shifted, and our nanny has transitioned more into a role you might call a housekeeper. But regardless of the title, the essence of her role remains the same—easing the daily pressures of family life. Whether it’s keeping the house tidy, preparing meals for us and for Emma’s parents who live nearby, or just being around for the kids after school, the benefits are substantial. It means that when we come home, we can increase the quality time we spend as a family without having to worry about other household chores or commitments.
Further, while I am aware that the caregivers we have employed have private lives and families and concerns, the level of intimacy that comes with having someone live with you or spend a lot of time in your house is undeniable. This physical closeness and familiarity have led to our children forming meaningful relationships that have lasted beyond the employer-employee relationship. Our children have benefited from learning about different cultures. For example, our nannies have primarily been of Filipina descent, and our children have grown to affectionately consider more than one of them as their ‘Tita,’ which means auntie in Tagalog. This kind of relationship adds a layer of affection to their childhood. As another example, my kids learned to count to ten in Tagalog by the time they were three, thanks to one particular nanny who was with us for several years.
It’s beneficial for the kids to experience these bonds and understand the dynamics of different relationships and learn about different cultures. I hope this makes sense—it’s a nuanced aspect of having someone from a different background and culture so involved in your family life.
NannyTax: It makes total sense. I know some people who grew up with nannies who are still close with them today.
Ami: Absolutely. It’s about more than just having someone to look after your kids.
NannyTax: Any final thoughts you’d like to share with Canadian families about payroll and considering payroll services if they have a nanny or caregiver?
Ami: The consequences of forgetting or missing a payment can be severe—you could face fines, fall into arrears, and most importantly, potentially let down an employee who relies on you to manage their payroll correctly. Considering all of this, choosing to outsource payroll is, as we discussed earlier, is a bit of a no-brainer.
And when it comes to choosing a payroll service provider, NannyTax is my top recommendation. All the reasons I’ve enthusiastically shared earlier make them an excellent choice for anyone needing reliable and efficient payroll management. They ensure everything is handled flawlessly, giving peace of mind to families like ours.
NannyTax: Thank you so much for your time, Ami! And for sharing your insights with other families considering a nanny or who may need help with their nanny’s payroll.
Ami: Thank you and nice to meet you!
Ami’s experience underscores the importance of having robust support when it comes to domestic payroll. For busy families, NannyTax doesn’t just simplify payroll management—we ensure that every detail is meticulously covered, so parents can focus less on paperwork and more on their families.
Whether you’re new to employing a nanny or looking to improve your current setup, consider a payroll service that takes care of the details so you can take care of what matters most. Contact us at taxquestions@nannytax.ca or call us toll-free at 1-877-626-6982 for more information.
