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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take payment for this?

72 replies

Flatbrokefornow · 27/03/2022 12:49

I am utterly broke, even before my energy bills and mortgage go up at the end of this month. Skipping-meals-and-showers broke. I’m WFH (part-time employed, part-time self-employed. Self employed is improving but was hit by covid. Employed can’t offer more hours. We will be okay longer term, I think) and have a child just in high school.

A neighbour is looking for someone to drop off/pick up her child (who I know well) from primary school a few days a week and would like to pay me instead of wrap around care, because she doesn’t need regular days. She doesn’t get any childcare funding and thinks this ok, but I thought it wasn’t? With things as they are, I’m having a tough time thinking of turning it down. It would be easy for me to do, won’t interfere with my parenting or my working hours, and I would pay tax on the income. I can’t see other options (I’m already working all school hours) and it would help tremendously. The only other thing I can think of to do is sell my car, which would impact on my business. I don’t have any debt (except my mortgage) and have cut everything else for myself as far back as I can, although I do still pay for some small treats for my child. I’m a lone parent.

I should say no, shouldn’t I? But it would be better for all of us.

OP posts:
VyeBrator · 27/03/2022 13:24

I think you've all misunderstood me 🤣

No-one has said it on this thread but over the years, this is something that gets a lot of MNetters bent out of shape. They start screaming about tax, insurance and God knows what else. Meanwhile in the real world, lots of people do what the OP is thinking about.

Gladioli23 · 27/03/2022 13:24

How many hours a day would you be looking after the child and how old is said child?

Would you earn more than £1000 a year from it?

Rewis · 27/03/2022 13:28

I'll echo the others. She can pay you in cash. No need for any of the formal stuff. It's just helping aneigjbour that is paying you for your trouble. No big deal.

thepastisanothercountry · 27/03/2022 13:31

@Onlythelaundryfairy

If it's just the pick up and collection, surely that would be ok? You may need to adjust your cart insurance though. If you are providing childcare that gets a bit more complicated.
If petrol prices keep rising as they are ponies and carts will probably become the norm :)
OneTC · 27/03/2022 13:34

ffs don't declare it as income!

LairyMcClairy · 27/03/2022 13:36

@VyeBrator

I think you've all misunderstood me 🤣

No-one has said it on this thread but over the years, this is something that gets a lot of MNetters bent out of shape. They start screaming about tax, insurance and God knows what else. Meanwhile in the real world, lots of people do what the OP is thinking about.

Love a bit of speculative thread policing. Only on mumsnet do you get told off for what someone thinks you might say.
LairyMcClairy · 27/03/2022 13:36

But yes, do it OP. How much are you agreeing on with the other mum? I’m intrigued.

123cupcake4 · 27/03/2022 13:39

Do it op. You are helping each other. Don't complictae with tax. You wouldn't earn enough anyway. And it's hardly a crime. I asked something similar in the past with a different username and got called a tax invader and stealing etc and it put me off. I didn't do it and it would have helped a lot! Sometimes mumsnet is a blessing and sometimes it's a curse

dancemom · 27/03/2022 13:40

Do it. If anyone queries it then the money is for expenses ie after school snack for the child

No requirement to complicate matters

Cantfindausernamethatsnottaken · 27/03/2022 13:42

You wouldnt be earning enough to pay tax anyway,just go for it.

RandomMess · 27/03/2022 13:42

Less than 2 hours per day you don't need to be a registered childminder.

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 27/03/2022 13:43

@CanIPleaseHaveOne

You will not earn enough to owe tax on it.

Do it, take cash, and give yourself a much needed break.

How do you know? The OP hasn't said how much she earns from her other work

Anyway only the most scrupulous person would be adding a few ££ from occasional child collecting to their tax return even though technically they should.

RandomMess · 27/03/2022 13:44

Slight aside can you increase the term on your mortgage to reduce monthly payments or take a payment holiday to create a small cash buffer to see you through short term?

Hatinafield · 27/03/2022 13:45

In your position i would do it and not declare it tbh.

What sort of sum are we talking? If you really felt bad she could “pay” you in supermarket gift cards once a month but tbh I’d just take the money and not think twice!

AProperStinging · 27/03/2022 13:49

@VyeBrator

Only on Mumsnet is looking after someone else's kid for a few quid, tantamount to bringing down the Bank of England 🙄

Meanwhile, mothers have been happily doing this ever since money was invented.

Wow.could you show me where someone said that?
Daffodilz · 27/03/2022 13:50

Take it. Do you need to pay tax on babysitting?

Daffodilz · 27/03/2022 13:52

You need a car - if this let's you keep it then go for it x

Isonthecase · 27/03/2022 13:55

If you're being really worried on this I'd probably just ask her to hand over a voucher as a thank you every so often but make sure it's one for somewhere you go like Tesco.

bake56 · 27/03/2022 13:56

I would do it and not declare it

Noclosure · 27/03/2022 13:58

All these people saying childminder, it isn't. This is nannying and you don't need any registrations to do it if both parties are happy.

Comedycook · 27/03/2022 14:00

Technically you're probably breaking lots of rules...but I wouldn't judge you for it!

Arewethebadguys · 27/03/2022 14:04

Just do it. Don't pay tax. Take a tiny win when it's offered to you.

sassyduck · 27/03/2022 14:15

Do it! Make your life a bit easier

Notanotherwindow · 27/03/2022 14:16

Do it and don't bloody declare it. Its not regular income. For the bus and feeding him his snack isn't it?

RewildingAmbridge · 27/03/2022 14:21

This is a bit of casual and hoc babysitting for a friend, how many casual babysitters do you think set up for tax payment etc. Just do it