II have been a live-in caregiver for the past 15 years to two seniors in Sun City Arizona. One has passed away already Because caring for them has inhibited my ability to work a full time job. As far as the IRS is concerned I've been unemployed for the last 15 years although most of you know who are caregivers it is like a full-time job. I do not make a salary because from the beginning nothing was ever established I rely on government assistance for food and do odd jobs for other seniors in the area to make extra cash. Granted the senior that I do care for now pays for my cell phone bill the gas in my car my car insurance and any car repairs. I don't know how this balances out but is there any way to maybe somehow be funded for my work and possibly even my past work cuz at this point it seems meaningless at times because the senior I still care for can be challenging with her behavior. I do everything in the house as far as cooking her meals cleaning the house and any landscape and yard work. I do take her to all of her doctor's appointments because she has a heart condition and a pacemaker and defibrillator she's 91 years old and there's longevity in her family. Is there any way to be compensated or at least to show the IRS something for all my work over the past 15 years so that I can show the IRS and maybe have a decent social security check when I'm ready to retire?
There is no work record because there's no govt recognized paper trail (checks, withholding, W2s or 1099s).
If you don't have that for 40 quarters (10 years) then YOU won't be getting any benefits in your old age, like SS or Medicare. You have to pay in to get it back out.
You cannot retroactively get paid by your clients because that isn't the current agreement. You need to resign what you're doing now and don't go back doing *anything* for them unless they pay you in checks or through a bookkeeper so that you can have a record; or they pay you in checks and you do your own withholding taxes. If you don't do this you will screw yourself over when it's time for you to retire. Wake up and do some research. Go to Care.com and maybe pick up gigs there and get paid what you're worth. Those 2 seniors have gotten a great deal all this time so DO NOT feel sorry for them. Get on with your life before it's too late.
Fact Sheet #79B: Live-in Domestic Service Workers Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) | U.S. Department of Labor
Live in Domestic Service Workers are entitled to wages.
Check Whether You're Protected | U.S. Department of Labor
The problem with being paid cash or being paid in free room is that social security taxes have not been paid by you and the employer on the work.
You would need to contact the Dept of Labor in your state and tell them you have worked a job and not gotten paid. The Dept. of Labor will research the case.
Did the deceased person pass away recently, in the last year or so, meaning his estate is still open? A lawyer can help you file a claim as a debt to be paid by the estate.
What is the financial situation of the woman you are currently caring for? If she has money you may be able to negotiate back pay from her and her family. Who handles her finances? Does she pay her bills herself, or does a family member do it for her? If that family member has her legal POA he or she may not want to be on the record as having violated the law for so many years and be receptive to a settlement for back pay, maybe with a non-disclosure agreement.
See if a lawyer will give you a free consultation.
What have you been reporting on the work requirements (seeking work or enrolled in education/training) for your government assistance? The exemption would be for taking care of an incapacitated family member; are these seniors relatives? Just wondering if that might establish some kind of legitimacy to your claim that they owe you something.
You could consult with an employment attorney to see if you have any claim against the deceased senior's estate and/or the current senior's assets.
"Social Security recognizes credits to retire by requiring workers born in 1929 or later to earn 40 credits (10 years of work) by paying taxes on earnings. You can earn up to four credits annually ($1,890 per credit in 2026, totaling $7,560 for the maximum). These, earned credits remain on your record, even if you stop working, and do not need to be consecutive.
Key Details on Earning and Using Credits:
Maximum Credits: A maximum of 4 credits can be earned per year.
Earning Thresholds: The amount of earnings needed for a credit changes annually based on wage increases.
Self-Employment: Self-employed individuals earn credits the same way as employees, based on net earnings.
No "Buying" Credits: Credits must be earned through employment; they cannot be borrowed or transferred from others.
Purpose: The 40-credit requirement is for eligibility (being "insured"), but the final benefit amount is calculated based on your highest 35 years of earnings.
If you stop working before earning 40 credits, those credits remain on your record, allowing you to return later to finish the requirement."
You don’t say how old you are, but hopefully young enough that you can get a job with a salary and work at it steadily for approximately the next ten years to earn a social security benefit. That’s about how long it takes paying into social security to earn the minimum payout benefit upon retirement. Social security isn’t an entitlement, it’s something we have paid into for decades like a savings account, to get these withdrawals in our retirement years.
On the plus side, it doesn’t sound like you’ve made enough money over these 15 years to owe any back income tax. That would be the IRS involvement. Other than that, you need to look at the Social Security Administration website to find information on how it works.
If you’ve been getting government food assistance, you probably have a social worker. Please talk openly and earnestly to that person about your situation, and what you can do about it.