So I just started the nanny thing and apparently i fall under the independent contractor category. the thing is i have no idea how to file taxes. how do i even pay taxes? i get paid in cash every week and don't know if i just pay one lump sum to the government or not. any help is appreciated!

Are you sure you're a contractor? Here are a couple of links I dug up from the IRS. The first one is a generic "am I an employee or a contractor" article that explains the basis for deciding, the second deals specifically with nannies and says that they're employees.

Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) or Employee?
Forms 941, 940, Employment Taxes

Sean - smallpayroll.ca

A nanny actually falls under the category of household employee, not an independent contractor. The family you are working for should be withholding your social security and medicare taxes and if agreed upon by you and them, your federal and state income taxes as well. For an idea of what you would take home after taxes, you should take a look at this tax calculator: https://secure.gtmassociates.com/Calculator.aspx
For answere to other questions on how it all works, go to GTM Payroll Services: Experts In Nanny Tax, Household HR, Nanny Payroll Services, Nanny Taxes, Household Payroll, Business Payroll Services, Insurance Services and Work Life Balance.

Answer: You are not an independent contractor. As a nanny, you fall under the category of household employee and the family you work for should be withholding taxes from your pay. They should be withhodling social security and medicare taxes and if you and they agree on it, federal and state income taxes as well. You can get more information on the subject at GTM Payroll Services: Experts In Nanny Tax, Household HR, Nanny Payroll Services, Nanny Taxes, Household Payroll, Business Payroll Services, Insurance Services and Work Life Balance