cleaner quit. can I unit owner get paid to clean?

I assume the answer is yes but how would he/she get paid?
Is it possible to have them not pay condo fee or only pay partial amount instead to avoid taxes?

This is far too cryptic - are you talking about someone cleaning your individual condo or someone cleaning the common areas of your condo building?

Usually, it's not a good idea to hire homeowners to do association tasks because it can make things fuzzy when it comes to - paying assessments (would the board decline to go after him or her in the same way for delinquent fees for fear he/she will quit and you'll have to find someone else?). You don't forgive assessments either - your budget has to be based on all homeowners paying assessments and he/she has a legal obligation to pay as a member of the association. Why pull this stunt to get him/her - or you - in trouble?

And forget this nonsense about "paying a partial amount to avoid taxes." If you were on my board and made this suggestion, I would ask the board for a vote to censure you right then and there. Board members are always supposed to try and behave in an ethical manner and avoiding taxes isn't part of that. Either do things right or get off the board and go do something else.

Meanwhile, you'll have to find a replacement the old-fashioned way - put an ad in the paper or call a housekeeping agency, which would be easier.

He is already doing the snow removal to save on money so is pretty dependable.

Similar to TimB4's post:

-- Hire as a contractor, issuing a 1099-Misc at the end of the year. Per law, said contractor sets her/his own hours, for the greater part.

-- Do not waive or reduce the assessment to this person. The law does not allow this.

-- I think you need to check what the insurance requirements are for this person. I wish these things were easy, but if your association's governing documents has insurance requirements, review them now. Maybe check with the association attorney as well.

I am acquainted with the rules for when a person is paid as an employee vs. an independent contractor. If the person is calling her or his own shots regarding the work being done, especially the hours he/she works, then he/she is an independent contractor. The net covers this in more detail, of course.

With employees, the HOA has to pay FICA, unemployment insurance et cetera. Furthermore, in many states firing an employee without facing a lawsuit or having to pay unemployment is quite difficult.

You might note that many at this site say for HOAs/COAs to avoid having employees. Instead, the HOA/COA should try to pay all who do work for it as contractors.

I agree. Any "worker" should be licensed, bonded, and insured. Never reduce due for services. Just pay the person.

I trust you meant that you believe any contractor doing business with a HOA must have workers comp coverage.

I am not sure all HOAs/COAs have Declarations or state statues that require workers comp for contractors. Though I think workers comp is terrific in general and highly advisable.

I was referring to our MC's requirements, for our HOA's protection. In NC any employer with over 3 employee's requires WC. It's not in our CCR's. It is a good very good business practice. Anyone can get hurt and anytime. Even a board member performing community a walk-around could become injured.

Vendors doing work on property can fall or injure themselves doing a simple thing. Why have the HOA responsible for an injury that may involve medical bills, loss of job function,even a disability? Or death?

I don't sell insurance. Vendors need to provide the insurance and it's a good idea that the HOA also secure a policy for volunteers (even if just board members walking around)to cover mishaps. A uninsured handyman could fall off his ladder and break his back. Like other's have mentioned here, HOA's have deep pockets and who needs to worry about that.

While there are some concerns about hiring an owner to perform work for the association, it is possible.

The board must be fully transparent about who the employee is though. And it's a hard no to waiving condo fees.