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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:
stayathomegardener · 02/05/2026 14:20

I mean you could volunteer to pay her more per hour to help with her overheads… I suspect you won’t.

pavillion1 · 02/05/2026 14:19

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

Ridiculous

MakeMineStrong · 02/05/2026 14:19

I only do bank transfers. Cash is inconvenient and it shouldn’t make any difference to her how she gets paid unless she’s planning something criminal

Megifer · 02/05/2026 14:19

I have no issue at all paying cash if requested, especially my mechanic 😬

Confuserr · 02/05/2026 14:19

cupfinalchaos · 02/05/2026 14:14

It always tickles me that tax ‘planning’ by the wealthy (who pleads pay a huge whack of tax) is frowned upon, yet cleaners are encouraged.

Indeed. It's tax evasion whoever is doing it. If she'd just said cash works better for her that's one thing, but she's essentially told OP she is going to end up with more money if she gets paid in cash - i.e. she's not going to declare it. I wouldn't be comfortable being part of that either and it would piss me off every Jan and July when I pay my own massive tax bill 😂

LeticiaMorales · 02/05/2026 14:19

newornotnew · 02/05/2026 14:19

It might be because she has debt problems and wants to have cash available due to being unable to use her debit card.

It might be because she is building up an escape fund.

It might be to hide the income from someone abusive.

It might be because it is easier to budget with cash.

Don't judge everyone by your own standards!

Exactly this.

throwawayimplantchat · 02/05/2026 14:19

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 wouldn’t though, would you? Because that would be absolutely mental!

newornotnew · 02/05/2026 14:19

Bluegreenbird · 02/05/2026 14:07

Of course it is fraud. She is getting the same money so why would cash be better unless it was to under declare income. My moral code says YANBU.

It might be because she has debt problems and wants to have cash available due to being unable to use her debit card.

It might be because she is building up an escape fund.

It might be to hide the income from someone abusive.

It might be because it is easier to budget with cash.

Don't judge everyone by your own standards!

LeticiaMorales · 02/05/2026 14:19

sunflowersandsunsets · 02/05/2026 14:15

Your "moral code" is just bollocks.

Lots of people get paid in cash and declare every penny. All my cash (several hundred pounds a week) goes into my business account each Friday. No fraud here, thank you.

Exactly.
Why are people judging this woman? Is it because she's working class? From overseas?
The immediate assumption of fraud!

watchingthishtread · 02/05/2026 14:18

Out of interest, how would one declare tax on Tesco vouchers? Would Revenue accept a buy one get one free offer as payment?

LeticiaMorales · 02/05/2026 14:17

MrsCarmelaSoprano · 02/05/2026 14:11

That is one of the most bonkers things I've read in MN for a long while 😮😂

I know, and that's saying something! 😂

Baconking · 02/05/2026 14:17

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

I'm sure they'd be really useful to pay her electricity bill!
Absolutely ridiculous suggestion. Would you like your work to pay you in shopping vouchers?

DeathBanana · 02/05/2026 14:17

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

What?

KimuraTan · 02/05/2026 14:16

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

Was going to say exactly that - you judge from an affluent and stable position - maybe her husband accesses the account and leaves her with nothing. Mind your own damn business and pay her or find a new cleaner!

sunflowersandsunsets · 02/05/2026 14:15

Bluegreenbird · 02/05/2026 14:07

Of course it is fraud. She is getting the same money so why would cash be better unless it was to under declare income. My moral code says YANBU.

Your "moral code" is just bollocks.

Lots of people get paid in cash and declare every penny. All my cash (several hundred pounds a week) goes into my business account each Friday. No fraud here, thank you.

Crystalnightsky · 02/05/2026 14:15

I am pro cash too and will forever pay cash and use cash

we need to resist!!!

I’m against a cashless society! Uk is soon to be one. It’s what they want

we need to fight this

youalright · 02/05/2026 14:14

I've paid many workmen in cash what they do with that is none of my business

cupfinalchaos · 02/05/2026 14:14

It always tickles me that tax ‘planning’ by the wealthy (who pleads pay a huge whack of tax) is frowned upon, yet cleaners are encouraged.

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.

youalright · 02/05/2026 14:13

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

Wtf who do you think you are how would you feel if your boss started paying you in tesco vouchers

watchingthishtread · 02/05/2026 14:12

Ffs. Tesco vouchers are not legal tender. How would you like to be paid in Tesco vouchers?

watchingthishtread · 02/05/2026 14:11

Cash is legal tender. There is nothing wrong or immoral about asking to be paid in cash.

You might well be right about the tax situation but it is an assumption not a matter of fact.

AngryHerring · 02/05/2026 14:11

You need to decide if it is convenient to you to a) pay in cash or b) look for another cleaner.

I don't get all the handwringing on here about cleaners avoiding tax and child support. I get it for buildrers, plumbers etc etc, but a cleaner?

MrsCarmelaSoprano · 02/05/2026 14:11

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

That is one of the most bonkers things I've read in MN for a long while 😮😂

busyd4y · 02/05/2026 14:11

Is her partner a dog walker?