Dog walker wants cash in hand

How vile and disrespectful that would be.

Pay him in Euro notes just for fun.

If you are happy with him then then asking for a discount to pay cash. FCS, I did that with a contractor for kitchen work. Done and dusted.

There are a lot of assumptions here. I’m a self employed dog walker, I do pet visits too (mainly cats when people go away).

I don’t mind how I’m paid, and I declare every penny that I earn therefore making sure I pay the correct amount of tax.

Sometimes customers pay me before I’ve had a chance to send an invoice. They may send a bank transfer on the same day that I do the work- before I’ve had a chance to raise an invoice. Or sometimes they leave cash- usually in an envelope with my name on which is waiting for me when I first arrive (this tends to be done by my elderly customers for some reason). If I am paid before I’ve raised an invoice, I’ll either leave a hand-written receipt, or for bank transfers I’ll send a receipt via email.

All of this is absolutely above board. I’d prefer if customers waited for their invoice but if prefer to pay immediately that is, of course, not a problem- I’m just grateful to be paid!

I would like to point out to people who are reading this thread that although everyone must of course follow all rules WRT paperwork, declaring income and paying tax, those rules are not identical across all business types. Things that apply to Ltd companies or corporations for example may not apply to a self employed sole trader.

If you're not happy paying cash then it's perfectly reasonable to go elsewhere.

Similar happened to me. I'd always paid the cattery via card or internet payment. One holiday i arrived home to collect, offered card over and was told 'oh no it's cash only now. Didn't you know?' well no, they had never told me.

So from then I decided I don't want pay cash, I don't like to have a lot of it on me. So now I have a cat sitter, and not only do I not have to faff about getting cash, it's cheaper by nearly half the price and my cats are much happier!

Oh my days u are being so over the top. Just withdraw cash from the machine every week or month depending how often u pay him. It’s really not that hard

Ok. But a dog walker doesn’t need to have a business account do they, if they want to avoid the extra charges?

Snobbery

Why is even your business? Such snowberry towards small traders.

I am much more understanding of a preference for cash sometimes in some instances for some small jobs or services in relation to tradespeople and small businesses.
It is not tax evasion of this kind that is draining government coffers. More like the very large scale fraud and tax evasion running into billions that is fully supported by those that govern us. As those companies and individuals benefitting are their mates or benefactors.
I don't expect your dog walker is doing any harm or committing any crime OP.
I think continued use of cash is important. We have willingly and easily fallen into a financial system where our every move is tracked . It is very dystopian. Occasionally quite freeing to be given a tenner perhaps and to just spend it free of surveillance.

How do you know they pay all tax due?

If he’s good and reliable and you want to keep him, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to show willing and make the effort.

Presumably you go passed cash points when you’re out and about.

I am self employed as a gardener. (I retired from my previous profession)

it is a hobby really. Mostly older people. I accept cash or cheque.

No receipt required as transaction is there and then , and no credit control activities are required.

It keeps my fee per hour lower than average, as i do not have to add in unit costs on all the additional tasks of excessive paperwork, accountancy fees etc.

i do my own accounts and submit my own tax returns annually.

I used to work for HMRC sometime ago and can advise that it is not a criminal offence to pay in cash or fail to enquire about a trades tax affairs, unless of course one is a chartered accountant, and only then if they are fiddling on behalf of a tax paying client.

I work alongside many trades and we cross refer.

I would not ask them about there business, anymore than i would ask about a customers tax affairs.

And the best thing about being self employed i can pick and choose my customers. There is more business than i can deal with, as is the case with most small businesses

You can ask for a receipt

Business accounts have more charges than personal

No - you absolutely are not culpable by paying someone cash who then goes on not to declare it especially as a normal paying customer. Paying a business in cash does not cover the requirement to be actively facilitating fraud. I do know the system in an accountant.

Yes every individual should pay their taxes - but currently I don’t blame anyone who tries to get a bit of a benefit out of it. Our tax bandings are absolutely shocking, every year that goes by is effectively another pay cut. Wages that were once comfortable are now nothing like. Why should your average person follow the rules when hardly anybody wealthy does? The richer you are the more you get away with - but the judgement falls on the dog walker I mean come on.

If your husband pays hundreds of thousands in taxes then you’re clearly very wealthy and maybe don’t understand what it’s like not to be. Hard work just doesn’t pay off anymore. I don’t blame anyone trying to get a bit of a win.

The dog walker is perfectly within their rights to require cash payment. If this is such a big deal to you, find another dog walker.

Stripe charge you after every transaction.
He would lose money.
I ask for cash. I pay all my taxes.

The window cleaner used to demand cash and i had to bin it off in the end. All this so a man can knock on my door at 8:03am demanding £7 like a Victorian debt collector.
“Cash only.” Mate, I would happily Monzo you £20 for the sheer convenience of never having to do this again.

Yes business bank accounts have charges not relevant to personal bank accounts e.g. you don’t have to pay to bank cash into a personal bank account

What are these bank charges everyone keeps mentioning?

Banks don’t charge you to receive an online transfer into your account, surely?

Credit card companies charge the payee yes, so I can totally understand a business not accepting credit card payments, but they don’t get charged to receive a payment straight into their account.

Am I missing something?

Cash is hassle and likely avoiding tax

I had a cleaner and dog walker. Left cash out for both of them

I think its a reasonable ask. But I think if its an inconvenient method to you theres no reason you cant go back and say sorry I cant because... if you think its some kind of scam, you could take your business elsewhere

No they are not. And it’s in the interests of the customer to have the paper trail not just the service provider.

what about all these service providers insurance and so on?

It’s in your own interest to pay by bank transfer or card.