Paying for jobs done.

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.

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 pay my taxes why shouldn’t they!

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

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 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.

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.