Nanny on work visa asking for cash in hand

[purplecamisole]

Just interviewed a lovely girl as a possible PT nanny for DD. She's over on a work visa and is currently working PT as a nanny, and PT as something else. She's paid cash in hand for the former (not sure about her other role), and has asked if she could be paid cash in hand should she work for us. She'd be earning just under £200/wk from us.

I realise that I need to pay her properly (and therefore register for PAYE/NI etc) and refuse to pay cash in hand but is she going to land herself in it with HMRC if she only now starts paying tax? Also, if she does agree and pays tax, will she be able to reclaim it once she returns to the US?

Thanks.

Do you know what visa it was that she has, when it was issued, when it expires? If so, UKBA could tell you what is and isn't permitted.

Given she is from the US, I'd be wondering if she is permitted to do any paid work at all and if she is then what conditions are attached to that - such as Sponsorship / Work Permit.

The problem is it would be YOU that would be liable to the tax and NI if you don't pay them, not her!!!

I'd be a bit sceptical of the "work visa". I had to marry an Englishman for my right to work over here. And, I'm also American.

Also sceptical about the visa. What kind is it exactly?

As for claiming tax back she should be paying tax etc whilst she lives here.

I'm American, too, and I couldn't do ANYTHING whilst on my visa... it wasn't until after we got married that I could work and have the privilege to pay tax.

But if she wants to work in Manchester, and wants cash, send her my way.

just joking obviously

I'm American (starexpat with namechange :) ) and I am on a work permit (soon to be ILR) which allows me to only work for my one employer who has sponsored the work permit. There aren't many visas for Americans to work freely. Students on a student visa can work up to a certain number of hours... Bunac can work. But I don't think CIH is ever really acceptable.

With all us yanks about, we ought to get together and celebrate Thanksgiving or 4th July...

It might be fun!

Are all you yanks West London / Surrey / Berks area? I seem to bump into Americans quite often in my area (Surrey/Berks border).

Back on topic
purplecamisole the girl may be lovely but do you want the risks it might involve. See other applicants, you may love someone else just as much.

See here for the documents you have to check and keep a copy of to establish her right to work for you.

Oh oh... 4th of July get together is a splendid idea. Oh, I miss a good barbecue.

Any takers?

I would also be very cautious about this. People in the UK on domestic worker visas are not allowed to undertake other employment and if they change employers, they have to notify the UKBA. There is no such thing as a "work visa" - there are several different categories of immigration status, some of which allow part time work (e.g. students are allowed to work up to 20 hrs per week) and some of which don't. Some will allow employment with any employer (e.g. Tier 1 General, which has now been closed - and was for highly paid, highly qualified individuals) and some allow employment with a specific employer only. More info on domestic workers here

Also, it will be you who is held liable if she is working illegally...so be careful!!

Thank you all - don't think it's worth the hassle/risk to be honest...

And enjoy the 4th July!

Venti venti venti - people are asking about you...ON THAT OTHER THREAD.

Venti - you are needed here