Paying tradesmen in cash..

[ummmm]

Why not?

Isn't it down to them to declare their earnings and not the customer? I pay cash in shops/pubs/restaurants why shouldn't I pay a tradesman the same way?

[sunny-dave]

I'm happy enough to pay cash for small stuff (up to say £100) but don't expect/want a discount.

Above that I tend to insist on cheque or card, to ensure that it goes through the books and I have a pukka receipt.

[ummmm]

Lol, jno, just read them.

//America asking why gun-toting gunman armed with guns used guns to gun down public//

[Old_Geezer]

:-) Like they could use something else.

[gness]

I pay cash to one man and small businesses whatever the amount. Don`t ask for discount or a receipt and have a great relationship with builders,plumbers etc. Did blackmail the tiler over missent text though. Often get a small job done for just coffee and a laugh.

[vulcan]

This is just part of our governments new system of everybody is guilty until proved innocent.

[New Judge]

An end user has no obligation to pay VAT.That is the responsibility of the trader or retailer. If they choose to shield some of their turnover or earnings from HMRC that is a matter for them to resolve. I pay for lots of things in cash - beer, groceries, newspapers, occasionaly petrol and various other things. I have no interest in the retailers' tax arrangements. I'm only concerned with obtaining the best price I can. If the government is so concerned with tax evasion by small businesses they should tackle those businesses and not try to shift the blame onto their customers.

[thenry]

always share the VAT if you can. without cash (no questions) we wouldn't have an economy. and for an MP to lecture us on morality !

[craft1948]

I pay my cleaner in cash, what she does regarding tax of any kind is nothing to do with me.

[sir.prize]

David Gauke - Looks like the midwife smacked him really hard.

http://i45.tinypic.com/2uyk8pv.jpg

[thenry]

A VAT registered business has an obligation to declare sales + VAT (output) but then it can do the same again with purchases claiming VAT (input). Tis the problem of the high earners who claim limited liability to protect personal assets - if the Customs and Excise don't get you, the Inland Revenue will !

[New Judge]

Yes, but they will not get the person who pays the end bill, thenry. He has no VAT or Income Tax liabilities on the transaction and since (for the moment at least) paying a bill in cash is not illegal it ill becomes anybody, least of all government ministers, to lecture the electorate on morals. Anyway it seems today the usual "...comments taken out of context...", "...not quite what was meant..." retractions have started to appear.

[woofgang]

And I say again that I wonder what it was that needed burying yesterday that they let the idiot off the lead to misdirect us.

[sir.prize]

Well, what do ya know?

''My wife and I . . .

http://www.ibtimes.co...hypicrisy-morally.htm