To not want to pay cleaner in cash?

[brokenteddychair]

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

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.

What a load of bollocks 😂

😆😆😆

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!! 🙈😂

No she wouldn't
What utter nonsense 🤣

Ikr! Since when does Soho Farmhouse take Tesco vouchers?

In a nutshell! 😂

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.

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.

And police where she does her shopping!!!

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.

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.

Do you think that poster owns shares in Tesco?

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.

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?

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.

She could, but maybe she hasn't.

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

Was it a business-to-business transaction?

Tesco vouchers???? WTAF

Words fail me.

What she is doing re tax wouldnt both me, not my business. The faff of needing to have cash in every week would - we used to pay cleaners in cash and it was a panic every week with often a last minute ATM run. Much easier when she moved to bank transfer

She will or should be self employed, not a business, unless she's working for an agency but then you would pay the agency.

Paying in Tesco vouchers 🤣 I’ve heard it all now 😂

That is so insulting

That thought just popped into my head…maybe she is a Tesco director 😂
This thread is batshit,seriously wonder how some commenters manage in the real world!

Of course it's her business - it's a moral issue and she believes that we all have a duty to pay into the pot, as well as take?