Dog walker wants cash in hand

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Started using a new dog walker in January, as old one moved away. Today he messaged and asked if I can start paying cash. Ive been paying by bank transfer and always on time. AIBU to think no, you can be paid through the correct channels like everyone else. For the record he charges towards the higher rate for the area, so it's not like I'm getting a bargain.

I would find that a pain in terms of getting cash (a lot of our local ATMs are gone after coop raids) and having the right change. agree with others - ask if there is another solution like paying for walks in advance by bank transfer.

If paying cash doesn’t work for you then sounds like you might need a new dog walker?

is he good and worth keeping?

cash is correct. It’s just not what you want.

I feel sorry for your dog walker. I’m a dog walker. I’d pick up on this strangeness and you’d be dropped and I’d message my group of other local dog walkers and you’d be known as an awkward client and likely avoided.

All my clients pay cash or transfer. Weekly or monthly. Whatever they want. Into my business bank account. For my accountant to do my accounts each year. If I ever asked for an alternative payment method they wouldn’t hesitate. Gosh if I asked them if I could move in they wouldn’t hesitate.

Nothing wrong with asking for cash.

It’s fine for him to ask but it’s also fine for it to not suit you, but that means you have to find another provider.

Personally I don’t want to pay cash for regular services as I find it annoying, it’s just another thing I have to remember and go out of my way to do when whatever I’m paying for is meant to make my life easier, so I wouldn’t want to choose someone who didn’t have bank transfer as an option, but it depends how much you value his services, really.

No, you're only including corp tax and PAYE on small businesses in your number. There are various other taxes in that table that aren't split out by business size (e.g. VAT, excise duty, self assessment) and other sections of the table (e.g. hidden economy) that are effectively small businesses, such as sole traders not declaring at all or moonlighting.

The report is pretty clear that "the tax gap from small businesses is the largest component of the tax gap by customer group at a 60% share in 2023 to 2024". That doesn't mean that 60% of small businesses have a tax gap, that would be insanely high.

A dog walker may not have to file with companies house, but if they work much at all, they'll be doing self assessment.

This false assumption is really so patronising to self-employed people. Why draw the conclusion that wanting cash equals wrongdoing? In most cases, it’s simply easier and quicker.

Cash isn’t particularly convenient if you struggle to get to an ATM. My dad is currently almost housebound and reliant on me getting him cash to pay for a few services, eg window cleaner. He doesn’t want to keep large amount of cash in the house. My local village now has no ATM since the Coop closed for refurb.

And yes, I’d be suspicious of someone who insists on cash (rather than just being happy to accept it) for reasons already mentioned.

I always pay mine in cash and actually offered to do so. And I don’t care if they don’t declare it, legislation and added costs locally have made it virtually impossible for them to make anything other than a very basic income, and they provide a valuable service. Without them we wouldn’t be able to work and have a dog, I value them and their service in any other words.

Hmm, if you've been paying on time for a while (basically when he takes your dog out and not leaving it a day or so) then I would think he was trying to avoid maintenance or tax.

What's the problem? Maybe she is having an issue with her bank?

What must it be like always thinking the worst of everyone?

He’s entitled to set the terms of payment, you’re entitled to use someone else. Don’t be ridiculous!!

We used to pay our old cleaner in cash and it was a right hassle having to remember to get it out each week. Just one more thing to have to remember. If our current lady leaves, we won't use anyone who doesn't accept bank transfer.

It's OK as long as you have easy access to cash. If you don't, it's a pain. I would never use a cashpoint again after having my card cloned at one and there are no banks locally, you have to go into the nearest city.

Paying by cash is not the issue - it’s the lack of invoice/record. If he is asking for cash in hand without reference to an online booking app or any other record, then it means he is avoiding declaring it for tax purposes. Paying him with the knowledge of this makes you complicit in his tax evasion.

Only you can decide whether you wish to proceed on that basis. We won’t - and cannot - pay cash to anyone. My DH is a tax professional, qualified accountant, and a board director. Paying in cash, knowingly aiding someone in the avoidance of tax, is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment. He’d lose his job at the very least - possibly never work again - if he was ever subject to an audit/review of his financial affairs, so we have to decline every time. It’s up to you if you are happy to take the risk.

Loads of businesses ask to be paid in cash

Walk your own dog then.

I pay my cat sitter (she pops in daily when I’m working or away) in cash. I really need her and she’s VERY reliable so I’m happy to do what she requires!

Would be a no from me but I would happily pay by standing order weekly so they don’t have to chase. Ensure you get a receipt too

What is the problem you have with paying cash?

As long as he gives you a receipt so you have proof of paying him there is no difference to a transfer is there?

Always makes me laugh when people use the elderly as a reason cash must be preserved. Anyone with elderly, frail relatives knows it’s a complete PITA for several reasons.

OP I’m with you on tax evasion. An additional concern would be insurance. Can you ask for an invoice to ‘prove’ your dog is on the books and thereby covered in the event of an incident?

All these people saying 'what's wrong with cash, it's legal tender', yes it is. But it's usually up to the customer to decide how they wish to pay, not up to the service provider to stipulate it. Some companies may choose not to take cash at all any more because of the faff of having to count it, bank it, worry about it being nicked, worry about fake notes etc. And many towns no longer even have bank branches for banking cash, getting change etc. So that is perhaps understandable.

So in this day and age it's a bit suss to insist you only want cash. The OP has been paying him by bank transfer so it's not as though he can say he's trying to avoid paying expensive card transaction charges, is it?

I'm all for keeping cash in the economy, in fact I think it's vital that we do so for several reasons. I run a business and we take cash or card and will do so for as long as cash is still legal. But let's be honest, when a small business owner stipulates they only want cash we all know it's a tax dodge.

This.

I pay my window cleaner in cash.

And what reason would you suppose he could have for demanding cash only? We've already ascertained that it's not to avoid paying card transaction fees because the OP pays him by bank transfer.