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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want to pay cleaner in cash?

444 replies

brokenteddychair · 02/05/2026 13:56

We have had a cleaner for about the last six months. She generally does a solid job and is reliable. I like her very much, she works hard and is trustworthy. She is currently the sole earner in her household as her husband doesn’t work (manual job). This is allegedly due to an injury but he is currently in his home country helping a family member with a renovation project so I’m a bit skeptical.

She has asked if we can start paying in cash “because the costs are burdening me and I need to ask clients to start paying in cash.”. This indicates to me that she is planning to under declare her income and therefore either not pay tax, claim benefits she isn’t actually entitled to, or both.

This is really conflicting me. I feel strongly that everyone should be paying their fair share of tax. I also don’t want the inconvenience of having to remember to get cash out every week. I have enough to do, that’s why I need to outsource help!

Would you suck it up or let her go?
YABU = cleaners are worth their weight in gold, just pay tax
YANBU = don’t be complicit in her fraud, find someone who will take bank transfer

OP posts:
Jc2001 · 02/05/2026 14:40

Tesco vouchers???? WTAF

Words fail me.

sunflowersandsunsets · 02/05/2026 14:39

catipuss · 02/05/2026 14:38

Try it and see, my FIL got investigated having paid someone a small amount in cash, the person was investigated and so were everyone they had dealt with.

Was it a business-to-business transaction?

sunflowersandsunsets · 02/05/2026 14:38

Confuserr · 02/05/2026 14:35

Well obviously I chose one without that clause which the cleaner obviously could, too.

She could also open one of the many small business accounts which don't charge fees like any of those listed here.

She could, but maybe she hasn't.

Regardless, it's a legitimate reason to take cash.

catipuss · 02/05/2026 14:38

sunshinestar1986 · 02/05/2026 14:33

No she wouldn't
What utter nonsense 🤣

Try it and see, my FIL got investigated having paid someone a small amount in cash, the person was investigated and so were everyone they had dealt with.

CamembertnCaffeine · 02/05/2026 14:38

What she does or doesn't do with any money you pay her isn't any of your business and you're making a lot of assumptions. If she's a hard working, reliable cleaner would it do any harm to pay her the way she prefers?

NattyKnitter116 · 02/05/2026 14:37

It’s your choice but just accept you may lose her to another client who is happy to pay cash.

I always make sure I have cash to pay people running small businesses. Not all of them want it but it’s worth bearing in mind that cash is more common in poorer areas where your cleaner is more likely to live.

As a shopkeeper/stall holder it costs money to maintain all the structure and equipment for wireless payment. Granted things have improved a lot in recent years but it’s still a cost.

it’s also a fact that the more the cost of living rises the larger the unofficial black economy will become as this always happens and has historically been the case when governments enable policies that affect the poor.

this isn’t a political left right thing, just something that happens. Wealthier people are just noticing it more as we all use wireless payments now.

remember ‘Cash is King’ !
yes it’s a faff to get cash if you don’t use it but you can do it once a month and maybe rediscover the joy of paying small businesses in cash if they’d prefer it.
as for who is dodging tax - at that level it’s not making any material difference to our national income.

LeticiaMorales · 02/05/2026 14:36

nopeandnopeandnope · 02/05/2026 14:35

And police where she does her shopping!!!

Do you think that poster owns shares in Tesco?

topcat2014 · 02/05/2026 14:36

MN is always very sympathetic to cleaners (eg paying them when you are on holiday etc).

I'd happily get rid of cash entirely in the economy, myself.

Can't remember the last time I used a cashpoint personally.

We don't have a cleaner - so I'm 50/50, but the hassle of remembering to get cash out would be a pain for me.

NoelEdmondsHairGel · 02/05/2026 14:35

I never understand why tax dodging via taking cash payment seems to be tolerated by so many. It must cost the state billions each year.

We should not facilitate it. The closer we get to a transparent cashless economy the better.

nopeandnopeandnope · 02/05/2026 14:35

BudgetBuster · 02/05/2026 14:04

Why? That's harder work than just giving her cash... and doesn't make her pay tax either?

And police where she does her shopping!!!

catipuss · 02/05/2026 14:35

youalright · 02/05/2026 14:30

You couldn't be arsed to go to a cash point every couple of months while your out and about to help someone out.

They are not helping someone out they are paying them to do a job, there is no need for the cleaner to be paid in cash and you are strongly advised not to pay cash for services, because of the potential for tax fraud and money laundering.

LeticiaMorales · 02/05/2026 14:33

sunflowersandsunsets · 02/05/2026 14:32

What a load of bollocks 😂

In a nutshell! 😂

ChipsyKing · 02/05/2026 14:33

Daisymail · 02/05/2026 14:30

WTF!

Ikr! Since when does Soho Farmhouse take Tesco vouchers?

Sasha07 · 02/05/2026 14:33

You don't need to go to the cash machine every week. Just get a month's worth of her wage out next time to pass a cash machine. I understand why you're dubious though. But meh.

The Tesco vouchers comment... 😂😂 Nothing says you don't value someone than trying to dictate what they're allowed to spend their earnings on! Seriously now... Cleaning done good is a hard job, she's earned her pay.

Bloody Tesco Vouchers!! 🙈😂

sunshinestar1986 · 02/05/2026 14:33

catipuss · 02/05/2026 14:31

The cleaners tax affairs may not be the op's business, but if the cleaner is caught fiddling her tax the op will be under suspicion of collusion in the tax fraud and may find herself under investigation, which can be very invasive even if you are absolutely innocent. These sort of payments are often considered potential money laundering as well as fraud.

We had a neighbour who ran a shop, he paid everything he could in cash because it came straight out of the till and he wasn't declaring the income, it's all part of the black economy.

No she wouldn't
What utter nonsense 🤣

SingedSoul · 02/05/2026 14:33

LeticiaMorales · 02/05/2026 14:26

😂😂
"Dear HMRC, I am sending Kellogg's Coco Pops, 2lbs of minced beef, Ariel Automatic and some mild cheddar cheese for this month's tax bill.
Kind regards"

Edited

😆😆😆

sunflowersandsunsets · 02/05/2026 14:32

catipuss · 02/05/2026 14:31

The cleaners tax affairs may not be the op's business, but if the cleaner is caught fiddling her tax the op will be under suspicion of collusion in the tax fraud and may find herself under investigation, which can be very invasive even if you are absolutely innocent. These sort of payments are often considered potential money laundering as well as fraud.

We had a neighbour who ran a shop, he paid everything he could in cash because it came straight out of the till and he wasn't declaring the income, it's all part of the black economy.

What a load of bollocks 😂

Lomonald · 02/05/2026 14:32

PilesofGuilt · 02/05/2026 14:13

Is she wanting cash so she can under declare tax or so that her absent H can't take it from the account? I'd pay cash if she's good and you trust her.

Edited

This was my thought he might be taking it, op just pay her in cash if it doesn't sit right with you get someone else.

LeticiaMorales · 02/05/2026 14:32

SingedSoul · 02/05/2026 14:31

You have got to be kidding? This idea is so patronising and controlling. It completely devalues the woman's work. You're basically suggesting she pays her in tins of beans.

It's just so ludicrous 😂!

sunflowersandsunsets · 02/05/2026 14:32

Confuserr · 02/05/2026 14:28

I'm self-employed and I use a personal bank account for my business income. Fine to do as long as you keep clear records of what is business expense and what's personal, which I do.

Most personal accounts have a clause saying you shouldn't use them to run a business. I know of people who have done what you do and they've received letters saying that they'll get their accounts closed if they don't stop.

youalright · 02/05/2026 14:32

catipuss · 02/05/2026 14:31

The cleaners tax affairs may not be the op's business, but if the cleaner is caught fiddling her tax the op will be under suspicion of collusion in the tax fraud and may find herself under investigation, which can be very invasive even if you are absolutely innocent. These sort of payments are often considered potential money laundering as well as fraud.

We had a neighbour who ran a shop, he paid everything he could in cash because it came straight out of the till and he wasn't declaring the income, it's all part of the black economy.

That's just not true.

sunshinestar1986 · 02/05/2026 14:32

Well done for working for hmrc for free 😏
I get the same cleaner occasionally amd she always wants cash which i find very annoying
But up to her what method of payment she wants.
I actually didn't manage to go out last time she came so I said I'll pay you next time, and she agreed.

LeticiaMorales · 02/05/2026 14:31

catipuss · 02/05/2026 14:31

The cleaners tax affairs may not be the op's business, but if the cleaner is caught fiddling her tax the op will be under suspicion of collusion in the tax fraud and may find herself under investigation, which can be very invasive even if you are absolutely innocent. These sort of payments are often considered potential money laundering as well as fraud.

We had a neighbour who ran a shop, he paid everything he could in cash because it came straight out of the till and he wasn't declaring the income, it's all part of the black economy.

No. It is legal to pay for goods and services in cash.
You are not conplicit in tax fraud if you do so.

SingedSoul · 02/05/2026 14:31

StormInaDcup99 · 02/05/2026 14:02

I'd possibly consider offering to pay her in say tesco vouchers and keep them somewhere safe in the house so they are there for when you need to pay her

You have got to be kidding? This idea is so patronising and controlling. It completely devalues the woman's work. You're basically suggesting she pays her in tins of beans.