income tax/national insurance and cleaner?

[goldenoldie]

My cleaner is on benefits and is honest with benefit office about the work she does - just a couple of small cleaning jobs.

I pay her cash in hand (£20 per week). Am I liable for her tax and national insurance? Will I get the inland revinue coming after me for it?

I don't think so - you have to be above the NI threshold for this. You can ring up inland revenue and ask a question - they won't take your details or anything(!) - or browse the website for a publication they have about 'becoming an employer' or something. But its simpler to phone with a direct query - I've done that before about a similar situation and found them very helpful.

NI wouldn't apply for that amount, and if she is on bens then she may be below the tax limit anyway. It is very unusual for a cleaner who does a couple of hours a week to be an employee - usually only full time ones have to go on to PAYE/NI. If she is also cleaning for someone else, then she wouldn't be your employee - not until she was working for at least a day or 2 per week.