Private tutor not paying tax??

[Sudburyswan]

Hi,

we use a private tutor for our son -just an hour per week. A nice guy who works at a local secondary school. He also tutors some friends kids and I’d estimate he’s earning £100 during term time on top of his teaching salary.

When he was here last weekend I was working in my tax return and I was moaning!! He made the comment “ I’m glad I don’t have to do that”- well surely he should be?

I know he’ll get the £1000 trading allowance but I still reckon he’s got 3-4 k of potential undeclared income. We pay him by bank transfer too.

I’m in two minds whether to report this.

surely hmrc’s systems will pick up this money entering his account??

He’s paying tax on his full time job.

MYOB.

Yes but surely it all has to be accounted?

That's all he said... "I'm glad I don't have to do that?"

Maybe he means physically doing a tax return. Maybe he pays someone else to do it.

None of your business

Maybe he pays an accountant to do it.

He's working full time (in a job that wont be paying enough for the work involved) and paying tax on that, and you're begrudging him a bit extra in this economy?

Why would you report him? That would be a very snidey thing to do

You want to report him to HMRC based on one comment that could easily be totally misconstrued?

That wasn’t the impression I got. It was like it was something totally alien to him. Surely hmrc can see what’s going in to our accounts?

I disagree that it's none of your business. People cheating on tax affects everyone else, including the OP and me.

Of course he should be declaring it.

Maybe get a hobby if someone else's tax affairs concern you this much

Do you really think HMRC can look in our accounts?!

They're not actively monitoring the accounts of the whole country though - that would be madness!

Why on earth would you consider reporting a nice guy who tutors your son?
Will it make you feel better about yourself?
Just bizarre. Mind your own business!

Did he mean he didn’t have to do a tax return because he doesn’t declare his additional income? Or is it that someone else does his tax return for him? I do my DHs, and my brothers (accountant) and I can assure you they definitely pay what they owe, they just don’t sweat over the forms, just give me everything I ask for. My dad pays his accountant to do his.

Yes he should legally be declaring any self employment income over £1000 a year. No I don’t think HMRC monitor people’s bank accounts that closely to notice, they can barely do their actual jobs to be honest.

Please dont report him, he's only trying to earn a few bob. Look at all the corruption that goes on on a much bigger scale. I know it's unfair so I see why your irritated but I don't think you should report him

Surely if you're ethically concerned, your first port of call is asking him not to tutor any more? It sounds like you're paying under the odds anyway (£100 per week, for your child/multiple friends kids) - so you're directly benefiting from his lower rates as well!

Absolutely this
Moral of the story…. Never make a passing comment about anything

Does tutoring attract VAT? Surely it's a luxury...

Not this again 🥱 unless you are a HMRC tax inspector, mind your own business. He made a passing comment, he doesn’t owe you an explanation on his tax affairs.

What is wrong with people?!

I am bloody shocked the thought even entered your head! Get a fucking life. It's £100 a week so very little tax. He's doing you a favour!

If I was him and got wind of this, I'd be so hurt and disappointed. I certainly wouldn't be continuing tutoring your child.

You can't just report somebody without any evidence based on an offhand comment.

£100 is her estimate, poor guy is probably really underpaid too and has to deal with those sorts of parents too

not surprised people quit teaching

I hope all of those saying to mind your own business never complain about the state of public services in this country - as people like this are part of the problem.

If everyone in this scenario paid the right tax, then we could give the NHS 15% more funding (or c £23 bn). That’s more than if we collected unpaid tax from every large corporate and wealthy individuals combined.

Absolutely report him, and if he’s done nothing wrong nothing will come of it. If he has, then he can pay his dues and help stop old ladies lying for hours in the street because hospitals and ambulance services are underfunded.