--- title: "Jobs to Pay Your Kids: By Age Guide (2026) | Kids Payroll" description: "Discover legitimate jobs you can pay your kids to do in your business, organized by age. IRS-compliant ideas for every stage." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "Jobs to Pay Your Kids: By Age Guide (2026)", "description": "Discover legitimate jobs you can pay your kids to do in your business, organized by age. IRS-compliant ideas for every stage.", "url": "https://kidspayroll.com/blog/jobs-to-pay-kids-in-business/", "image": "https://kidspayroll.com/images/dylan-working.jpg", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jennifer", "url": "https://kidspayroll.com/about/" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Kids Payroll", "url": "https://kidspayroll.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://kidspayroll.com/favicon.png" } }, "datePublished": "2026-01-15", "dateModified": "2026-01-15", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://kidspayroll.com/blog/jobs-to-pay-kids-in-business/" }, "isPartOf": { "@type": "Blog", "@id": "https://kidspayroll.com/blog/", "name": "Kids Payroll Blog" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the youngest age I can pay my child for business work?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The IRS has accepted employment for children as young as 6-7 years old. There is no formal minimum age, but the work must be age-appropriate and the pay must be reasonable." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I pay my child to appear in my business ads or social media?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Child models and social media participants are legitimate employees. Keep records of the sessions, pay a reasonable rate for similar commercial work, and document the business purpose." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do household chores count as business tasks I can pay my child for?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. The IRS distinguishes clearly between business work and personal/household tasks. Mowing your home lawn or doing dishes is not deductible. Mowing the lawn at your business property could qualify." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://kidspayroll.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://kidspayroll.com/blog/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "What Jobs Can I Pay My Kids For? Age-by-Age Guide (2026)", "item": "https://kidspayroll.com/blog/jobs-to-pay-kids-in-business/" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://kidspayroll.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://kidspayroll.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "What Jobs Can I Pay My Kids For? Age-by-..." } ] } ] --- [Kids Payroll ](/) FeaturesHow It WorksBenefits[State Laws](/state-labor-laws/)[Free Guide](/guide/)[Tax Calculator](/tax-calculator/)[About](/about/)[Blog](/blog/)[FAQ](/faq/)[Download App](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kids-payroll-pay-your-kids/id6755955657) 1. [Home ](/) 2. [Blog](/blog/) 3. What Jobs Can I Pay My Kids For? Age-by-... Job Ideas # What Jobs Can I Pay My Kids For? Age-by-Age Guide (2026) January 2026 7 min read _Last updated: January 2026_ ## Table of Contents - [The Golden Rule](#golden-rule) - [Ages 6-9: Simple, Supervised Tasks](#ages-6-9) - [Ages 10-13: Expanding Capabilities](#ages-10-13) - [Ages 14-17: Real Business Contributions](#ages-14-17) - [Ages 18-21: Near-Professional Work](#ages-18-21) - [How to Document Jobs for the IRS](#documentation) - [Setting Reasonable Pay Rates](#pay-rates) - [Jobs That Don't Work](#jobs-that-dont-work) - [How Kids Payroll Helps](#how-kids-payroll-helps) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#faq) You want to hire your kids for your business, but what can they actually do? The IRS requires work to be **legitimate** (real tasks your business needs) and wages to be **reasonable** (what you'd pay someone else). You can't pay your child $1,000 to "help out" without specific, documentable work. But there's good news: kids of almost any age can do meaningful work for a business. Here are ideas organized by age group. * * * GUIDE #### Want the full 7-step playbook as a PDF? Get the same guide my readers use to set this up correctly the first time. Sent to your inbox in 60 seconds. Get the Guide → ## The Golden Rule Before we dive into specific jobs, remember this: **Would you pay someone else to do this task?** If the answer is yes, it's likely legitimate. If you're inventing busy work to justify payments, you're asking for trouble. Also remember that household tasks (cleaning your house, mowing your lawn, babysitting siblings) are **not** deductible business expenses, even if you work from home. The work must be for your business. * * * ## Ages 6-9: Simple, Supervised Tasks Young children can absolutely do real work. It just needs to match their abilities. Keep tasks simple, supervise closely, and document everything. ### Office and Administrative - Shredding documents - Sorting papers by color or type - Putting stamps on envelopes - Organizing supplies like pens and folders - Filing documents in labeled folders - Collating printed materials ### Inventory and Organization - Sorting products by size or color - Counting inventory items - Labeling boxes or containers - Stuffing envelopes - Bundling items together ### Cleaning (Business Space Only) - Wiping down desks and surfaces - Emptying office trash cans - Organizing shelves **Reasonable pay range:** Minimum wage to $10/hour depending on your location. * * * ## Ages 10-13: Expanding Capabilities Preteens can handle more complex tasks and begin using technology with supervision. ### Office and Administrative - Basic data entry (names, addresses, simple info) - Typing handwritten notes - Answering the phone and taking messages - Making copies and scans - Organizing digital files into folders - Preparing meeting materials ### Inventory and Shipping - Packaging products for shipment - Printing shipping labels - Organizing warehouse or storage areas - Updating simple inventory spreadsheets ### Technology - Testing apps or websites for bugs - Organizing photos into folders - Basic photo editing like cropping and resizing **Reasonable pay range:** Minimum wage to $12/hour. * * * ## Ages 14-17: Real Business Contributions Teenagers can take on meaningful responsibilities and specialized tasks. ### Marketing and Social Media - Managing social media accounts - Creating social media graphics - Writing blog post drafts - Editing videos - Responding to comments and messages - Taking product photos ### Customer Service - Responding to customer emails - Answering customer phone calls - Processing simple customer requests - Updating customer records ### Administrative and Finance - Bookkeeping data entry - Reconciling receipts - Scheduling appointments - Managing calendars - Research projects like competitor analysis **Reasonable pay range:** $12-20/hour depending on skill level and market rates. * * * ## Ages 18-21: Near-Professional Work Adult children can handle almost any business task. Note that payroll tax exemptions typically end at age 18 for FICA and age 21 for FUTA (depending on your business structure). **All of the above, plus:** - Managing other employees - Running business operations - Handling accounts payable and receivable - Professional-level content creation - Client relationship management - Project management **Reasonable pay range:** Market rate for the position, whatever you'd pay a non-family member. * * * ## How to Document Jobs for the IRS Having your child do the work isn't enough. You need documentation. **Keep these records:** - A written job description with title, duties, expected hours, and pay rate - Time records showing dates, hours worked, and tasks completed - Payment records like checks, bank transfers, or payment app records - Work samples where applicable, such as social media posts they created If the IRS ever questions the arrangement, you want to prove the work was real, the hours were actually worked, and the pay was reasonable. * * * ## Setting Reasonable Pay Rates What's "reasonable" varies by: - Your location - Task complexity - Your child's age and skill level - What you'd pay a non-family member Research comparable rates by checking Indeed, Glassdoor, or local job listings. Keep notes showing how you determined the rate. * * * ## Jobs That Don't Work Avoid these since they're either not legitimate business expenses or raise red flags: - Household tasks like cleaning your house or doing laundry - Babysitting siblings - Vague "helping out" without specific tasks - Work they didn't actually do - Overpaid simple tasks like $50/hour for filing * * * ## How Kids Payroll Helps Kids Payroll includes **job description templates** covering all age groups with suggested tasks appropriate for the age and reasonable pay range guidance. The app tracks hours, calculates pay, and exports audit-ready documentation. * * * ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can my 7-year-old really do meaningful work? Yes, if matched to their abilities. Shredding documents, sorting supplies, and stuffing envelopes are real tasks that save you time. Start small and increase responsibility as they prove capable. ### How many hours can my child work? Child labor laws vary by state and age. Generally: - **Under 14:** Limited hours with parent's business often exempt - **14-15:** Restricted hours especially during school - **16-17:** More flexibility but still some limits - **18+:** No restrictions Check your state's specific requirements. ### What if my child does multiple jobs? That's fine. Create a job description covering all their responsibilities. Many kids handle a mix of tasks like filing, social media, and inventory. * * * _**Disclaimer:** This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Consult a qualified CPA or tax professional for guidance specific to your situation._ ## Related Articles [Job Ideas ### 50+ Legitimate Tasks You Can Pay Your Kids to Do in Your Business (By Age) Discover 50+ IRS-compliant tasks you can pay your kids to do, organized by age from 5 to 17. Real examples and reasonable pay rates included. Read article](/blog/legitimate-tasks-to-pay-kids/) [Tax Strategy ### Can I Pay My Kids to Appear in My YouTube Videos or Podcast? Yes, you can pay your kids to appear in your YouTube videos or podcast. Here is how the FICA exemption works, what tasks hold up to IRS scrutiny, and what your family actually saves. Read article](/blog/can-i-pay-my-kids-to-appear-in-my-youtube-videos-or-podcast/) [Tax Strategy ### How Much Should I Pay My Child? Reasonable Wage Guide (2026) The IRS requires reasonable compensation when paying your kids. See real hourly rates by task and age, plus documentation tips. Read article ](/blog/reasonable-wage-guide/) GUIDE #### Want the full 7-step playbook as a PDF? Get the same guide my readers use to set this up correctly the first time. Sent to your inbox in 60 seconds. 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