Last updated: January 2026
Wondering what work actually counts? Here are real, IRS-compliant tasks organized by age, from 5-year-olds to teenagers.
The IRS doesn't set a minimum age for employing your children. But they do require the work to be real, necessary for your business, and paid at a reasonable rate.
The most common mistake parents make? Paying their kids for vague "helping out" without documenting specific tasks. That's a red flag in an audit. Learn more about what records to keep for the IRS.
Here's a practical breakdown of legitimate tasks by age group, based on what the work is actually worth and what kids can realistically do.
Ages 5-7: Simple, Supervised Tasks
At this age, attention spans are short and supervision is constant. Focus on quick, repeatable tasks.
Office & Administrative
- Shredding documents (with a safe, auto-feed shredder)
- Putting stamps on envelopes
- Sorting papers by color or size
- Organizing supplies into bins
- Delivering papers between rooms
Marketing & Content
- Appearing in photos for your website or social media
- Being in video content (with proper releases)
- Drawing pictures for social posts or packaging
- Voice recordings for content (if age-appropriate)
Physical Tasks
- Tidying the waiting area or office
- Watering office plants
- Sorting inventory by color or type
- Putting labels on products
Reasonable hourly rate: $8-12/hour
Documentation tip: Take photos or short videos of them working. Keep a simple log: date, task, time spent.
Ages 8-10: More Independence, Real Contribution
Kids this age can follow multi-step instructions and work with less supervision.
Office & Administrative
- Filing documents alphabetically or by date
- Data entry (simple spreadsheets)
- Answering basic phone calls with a script
- Opening and sorting mail
- Inventory counts
- Assembling packets or folders
Marketing & Content
- Product demonstrations on video
- Testing products and giving feedback
- Writing simple product reviews
- Helping set up for photo shoots
- Managing a kid-focused social media account (supervised)
Customer-Facing (supervised)
- Greeting customers
- Handing out flyers or samples
- Setting up displays
Reasonable hourly rate: $10-15/hour
Ages 11-13: Skilled Assistance
Middle schoolers can handle real responsibility and produce work you'd otherwise pay someone else to do.
Administrative
- Managing email inbox (sorting, flagging, drafting simple replies)
- Scheduling appointments
- Creating simple documents and presentations
- Transcribing voice notes or meetings
- Managing digital file organization
- Basic bookkeeping entries
Technical
- Website updates (adding photos, editing text)
- Basic graphic design (Canva, simple edits)
- Video editing (cutting clips, adding music)
- Social media posting and scheduling
- Online research and summarizing findings
- Testing apps or software for bugs
Operations
- Inventory management
- Packing and shipping orders
- Quality control checks
- Equipment cleaning and maintenance
Customer Service
- Responding to simple customer inquiries
- Chat support (with templates)
- Following up on reviews
Reasonable hourly rate: $12-18/hour
Ages 14-17: Near-Adult Capabilities
Teenagers can do almost anything a part-time adult employee could do. Pay should reflect that.
Administrative & Management
- Full email and calendar management
- Project coordination
- Vendor communication
- Creating SOPs and documentation
- Training younger siblings on tasks
- Meeting notes and action items
Technical & Creative
- Website design and development
- Advanced graphic design
- Video production and editing
- Podcast editing
- Social media strategy and content creation
- SEO and blog writing
- App testing and feedback
- Photography
Operations
- Managing shipping and fulfillment
- Customer service (phone, email, chat)
- Bookkeeping and expense tracking
- Supervising younger workers
- Event planning and coordination
Sales & Marketing
- Lead generation
- Email marketing campaigns
- Market research
- Competitor analysis
- Writing product descriptions
Reasonable hourly rate: $15-25/hour (depending on skill level and market rates for the work)
Tasks That DON'T Qualify
The IRS is clear: personal tasks aren't deductible business expenses, even if your child does them.
Not deductible:
- Household chores (cleaning your home, mowing your lawn)
- Babysitting siblings
- Personal errands
- Homework or schoolwork
- Chores they'd do anyway as part of the family
The test: Would you pay a stranger to do this task for your business? If yes, it likely qualifies. If no, it doesn't.
How to Document Everything
For each task your child performs, keep:
- Time records - Date, start/end times, tasks performed
- Work samples - Screenshots, photos, saved files
- Payment records - Check copies, bank transfers, pay stubs
Kids Payroll makes this simple by letting you log tasks as you go, attach notes, and generate the records you need at tax time. Learn more about IRS documentation requirements.
Real Examples From Real Businesses
Real estate investor: 9-year-old organizes property photos into folders, puts lockbox codes on key tags, and shreds old lease documents. 14-year-old writes property descriptions and manages the showing schedule.
E-commerce store: 7-year-old puts thank-you cards in packages and applies shipping labels. 12-year-old photographs products and responds to simple customer questions.
Coaching business: 11-year-old edits video clips for social media. 16-year-old manages the content calendar and schedules posts.
Rental property owner: 8-year-old helps inventory supplies and organize the storage unit. 15-year-old handles guest communication and coordinates cleaners.
Getting Started
The key is matching tasks to your child's actual abilities and paying a rate that reflects the market value of the work, not more, not less.
Start with 2-3 tasks this week. Document the time. Pay by check or direct deposit (not cash). Build from there.
Once your child has earned income, consider opening a Roth IRA for your child to start building tax-free wealth.
Kids Payroll helps you track hours, document tasks, and stay compliant without the complexity of traditional payroll software. See how we compare to Gusto and QuickBooks.
Use our Tax Savings Calculator to see how much you could save by paying your kids through your business.