Paying for jobs done.

In general, I think builders should not ask to be paid in cash and I am not keen on doing that.
On the other hand, if it is a very small amount, it is easier to pay in cash rather than get his bank details and get a new payee set up. I had a handyman who came out for a small job and only charged me £25 so I just gave him cash.

I don't do it. I don't mind if it is (say) a tenner to the window cleaner, but if it's a few hundred pounds then I always pay by bank transfer, and click 'paying for a service' on the dropdown list.

I realise that lots of tiny payments add up, but it can seem like too much hassle to pay via the bank if I have a £10 note in my purse. Also, it's not always going to be contributing to the black economy - my window cleaner keeps a ledger where he records payments, so it's perfectly possible that he reports them to the tax man. He may not, of course.

When it comes to house repairs or renovations, I like the security of being able to prove that I've paid, in case of problems down the line. I also think that we should all pay tax, so don't want to collude in letting people get out of it.

Yes, I think it’s the fuss of having to set up a load of new accounts on your bank account and then all the rigmarole of having it checked and verified etc.

Much easier to just hand over a bit of cash for a small job now you can’t write a cheque.

And, of course, he knows he’s been paid straight away, won’t be left waiting or not paid at all. Asking for cash doesn’t inevitably mean it’s not declared. There are other good reasons too.

I’m always asked to pay by bank transfer these days, so no issue.

I pay my taxes why shouldn’t they!

If they ask, I just say I work for HMRC and watch them wince. I don’t but they don’t know that.

The annual tax gap is almost £50 billion. Small businesses are responsible for 60% of that - £30 billion. Think what £30-£50 billion could pay for in terms of the NHS, welfare and other public services.

£50,000,000,000.

I have no problem whatsoever with paying in cash if that's what they request - but it's very rare for someone to ask that these days. The way I look at it, it's not my job to determine whether someone is paying their taxes or not - once I've paid someone (whether that's in cash, bank transfer or whatever), that's up to them. I've paid my taxes religiously throughout my working life - and still do. Chasing someone up for tax is the job of HMRC, not mine.

Just because someone is paid in cash doesn’t mean they are cheating the system does it? They could still be declaring and paying taxes
I always pay my gas annual check up by cash but I m sure he’s bonefide just doesn’t use a machine.

I still write cheques occasionally.
But I do pay my window cleaner/grass mower man in cash.
Small amounts are ok I think. A larger amount I would use a bank transfer.

No it doesn't Bluebell but OP did specifically mention the black economy.

We pay by BACS and give a cash tip too.

We still write cheques occasionally too henetha.

Used to pay the window cleaner in cash. Now he’d rather we use BACS. Any larger amounts I’d rather have some proof that I’ve paid.

Oh good, Smileless. I was puzzled there for a minute.
They are definitely still legal here aren't they.

ViceVersa

I have no problem whatsoever with paying in cash if that's what they request - but it's very rare for someone to ask that these days. The way I look at it, it's not my job to determine whether someone is paying their taxes or not - once I've paid someone (whether that's in cash, bank transfer or whatever), that's up to them. I've paid my taxes religiously throughout my working life - and still do. Chasing someone up for tax is the job of HMRC, not mine.

Totally agree.

Never had a problem either which way.

Not my job to police.
And it is totally legal to pay in cash anyway.

I dont go looking for problems.

Cash is still legal tender, happy to pay cash or transfer.

Viceversa and fancythat my philosophy entirely I sometimes use card sometimes cash I don’t think it necessarily has cheat stamped on it. I just see it as a preference

After having a quote I ask how much for cash. They tell me and I pay them when they've done the job. Only if they work for themselves though. not a company employee.
Only do this this for smallish jobs though.

I don't carry that much cash!
All my workmen have card readers these days but anyway they send their bill online, vat added.
I can't remember the last time I was asked for cash.

No problem paying cash, our last big job, kitchen renovation, was part cash, part BACS, we had an itemised receipt for the whole job.
Plumber a couple of weeks ago was £50 cash.

It happened to me only the other day day. My window cleaner had retired so l had to find another. He turned up and the first thing he commented on was the "hedgehog " stuff in the guttering and was l aware it wasn't advisable and he would remove it. Followed by 2 quotes one for cash the other " through the books " l had then asked him how are we to pay for the NHS, education etc if we cheat and steal from the public purse by not paying tax. All he could say was that my neighbours were happy paying cash. Well they may be and are answerable to their conscience. what he will never know is that l will give them a little extra as a thank you for a job well done.
l have only seen him at one house and when l was telling my neighbour because l was so irritated she said she had sent him away for a poor job done and had heard that he had had a triple heart by pass. If so l am sorry for his ill health but typical that he has needed the collective "pot " more than most.

Like most of you, I find most workmen prefer BACs these days. My window cleaner and cleaner ask for cash and I regard it as absolutely their choice. I think it’s amazingly patronising to assume it’s anything to do with the ‘black economy’. But again, as many of you said, I wouldn’t pay a large sum ( over £100?) in cash as I don’t have that much around and would want the paper trail evidence of payment ( although my cleaner gives me a receipt). As others have said, I ‘m not policing the tax system. I also have a problem with the real unfairness of our tax system and the incredibly wealthy who are able to indulge in quite legal tax avoidance schemes. Finally, some small businesses can be really struggling with unpaid invoices and paying bank fees on deposits and withdrawals and need the actual cash to make things easier and cheaper for themselves. I am really lucky with all my work people and do not make assumptions. All that matters is a job well done and promptly paid for.

Romilo
Cash is still legal in the uk.
Perhaps you’re too young to remember but there was a time when we didn’t pay with a piece of plastic.
It obviously annoys you that some trades people are a little inventive with tax payments.
I hope you view the huge corporations world wide who are able to pay accountants an obscene amount of money to reduce their tax bill.

Small amounts we are happy to pay by cash. Larger amounts by bank transfer. It is not up to me to police trades people.

As for writing a cheques - I have no idea where the cheque book is.