Dog walker wants cash in hand

A substantial amount of tax evasion in the UK is through cash-in-hand work. You obviously can't guarantee that this particular dog walker is evading tax, making fraudulent benefit claims or avoiding child maintenance, but there is more chance that they are doing if you pay cash. The gap between what tax should be paid and what is paid is £46bn. That's money that could be spent on the NHS, schools, filling potholes or whatever.

I'm sick of reading threads on MN where someone's ex is paying £7 a week because they've persuaded CMS that they don't earn anything, but their lifestyle doesn't match that. Posters are totally sympathetic on those threads, but then are fine with paying cash, sometimes with a discount. It's complete cognitive dissonance.

Paying in cash does not necessarily mean he is avoiding paying tax, but it is not an unreasonable conclusion to come to @funtimetoni

I would be more interested in whether he has insurance for walking, and carrying your dog in his vehicle (which would mean business insurance including carrying customer goods). I would wager he doesn't.

Its the obvious reason.
More likely to end up chasing cash payments as it involves going to withdraw cash rather than being able to log on and instantly transfer it.

A lot of faux naivety on this thread. Let's not beat about the bush - the most likely reasons for wanting cash payments are tax evasion or benefit fraud.
If the dog walker won't accept bank transfers then I'd find another one.

how much do you pay?

The question is whether the cash in hand goes through their books or not. It is often not a good sign for a business to insist on cash. And do they have insurance if they are sailing a bit close to the wind?

I never have cash on me and it would be a deal breaker for me if someone didn't accept bank transfer

Not a pain at all. I pay for many things in cash, never an issue.
each to there own really, no matter either way

That’s a very bold guess… how can you assume that when you know nothing about the person or the business

Just say no if you rather stay as it is see what he says.
Up to him if he stays or ends service with you.

Cash is a pain though, who has cash on them regularly these days? I’d have to make a special trip to the ATM to get it, I’d much rather pay with a bank transfer.

Whether someone’s paying their taxes is their own business to sort but I couldn’t be bothered with the hassle, I pay my dog walker with a standing order.

I have a business where most clients pay in cash, it’s all accounted for and taxed accordingly. Paying cash means I’m not paying bank charges and keep more of the money I’m paid. Given I pay 50% tax and NI on my small business, another 2% in bank charges makes a difference to it being viable to trade at all. It’s not always about avoiding fiscal responsibility.

We’ve always paid the dog walker in cash. Happy to.

They only thing I’d be concerned about if they were insured and had correct training

method of payment is irrelevant there’s a whole new thing about using cash to enable people to budget better
Martin Lewis has said about old school budgeting using envelopes of cash for certain things

There are a lot of Dog walkers in my area and they all ask for cash!! My Sister pays her Dog walker in cash I think it’s the done thing now a days 🤔

For something like this I would expect to pay cash. Why would you have a problem?

You run the risk of him deciding you are too much hassle as a client if you insist on ignoring his preferred method of payment. Are there a lot of choices of dog walker in your area, or will it be inconvenient to have to find another one?

Tell him you will for a discount.

Why do you assume you're are contributing to that? Cash in a business can just as easily be accounted for. No reason to think it’s for tax evasion etc

I’d guess he was either avoiding tax or avoiding child maintenance, neither sit right with me.

The risk of this happening with shops is small. Self-employed trades people not so much.

Yes that is correct. Op mentioned paying by the correct channel. And cash is just that

I'm not keen on paying cash in hand as I don't want to be indirect contributing to tax evasion, benefits fraud and underpaying child maintenance. I also don't generally have much cash around.

How hard is it to find another dog walker?

Interesting that you’re assuming he has nefarious reasons for wanting cash.

I’d assume he’s just getting fed up of chasing people who forget to pay, say they’ll pay asap and don’t and the likes. Much less chasing required in cash payments.

I pay in shops by cash every week, should I be telling them they're doing it wrong?

If you don't want to pay by cash find a new dog walker

What do you mean by correct channel?
It's 'correct' to pay by whatever means you want to surely?

Cash is a correct channel - it is, as they say, legal tender.

Bank transfer cost the seller - cash is free.
It may be more inconvienent for you I accept, however many people prefer dealing in cash andd that's fair enough