MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Would you pay Brian the Builder in cash?

philandstuff

I have no qualms about small businesses tax-dodging, because it's big business tax dodging that really hurts the exchequer. Everything from private equity bosses paying 10% capital gains tax instead of 40% income tax to tesco's multiple offshore company tax avoidance schemes (as reported in Private Eye ad nauseum) and each such scheme costs the exchequer £millions and not a couple of hundred quid.

Why should I care about paying my taxes when entities so much better off than me aren't paying theirs?

bristolbaron

We would have had this conversation when he first took the job on!
As long as i get a guarantee, he can do what he likes with the receipt.

I've paid the bus driver £1 and had no reciept rather than paying the £1.60 fare in the past. I'm shameless, sorry

flutterbymum

No, i wouldn`t pay cash for the lesser amount.If any problems emerge with the work at a later date, i would have no evidence that he was the builder.But I wouldn`t report him,even though I don`t agree with VAT evasion, but understand temptation to take cash in hand especially on small jobs, as my husband and i have a small business too.

lizzybear_2

No. My dad owns a small business and I see how much he has to pay in VAT alone each year so I don't think it's right when people try to get away with not paying it. I also can't help thinking that the reason such taxes are so high is partly because of those evading them.

sodamnfunky

Yep Id pay him in cash. My conscience would be clear. Maybe if our beloved government was fairer, then people wouldnt need to offer a discount for cash.

SimonG78

Like most people if I knew the builder (and usually I know the people who work for me) then I would know he was trustworthy and pay the lesser price, if he decides to evade the tax that is not my responsibility, however I would also try and haggle the price down at that point*

If I didn't know him I would suggest a lower cash price but would want a receipt in case of problems.

*I run my own business, normally any haggling would happen at the time of the quote as I hate people that wait till the end of the job to haggle knowing they have already had the work done, but in this case he suggested the lower price which to me means negotiations are open again.

Now_then

philandstuff wrote: »

Why should I care about paying my taxes when entities so much better off than me aren't paying theirs?

What a disappointing attitude to take. The concept of personal responsibility seems to have passed him by; one doesn’t spit in the street just because others do.

topofall

Yes, have done exactly that on a new boiler a year ago! Hope the tax man's not reading this!

fudge7000

yes I would pay the cash, have done it before and then the work went wrong - he still came back and fixed it for free! I figured that its his issue whether he pays tax or not, not mine - I pay full tax on all my earnings!

pjhowcroft

Just had this dilemma!

had some quotes for a driveway from local companies, some stupid, one very reasonable and one cash quote. talked it over with the wife - wasnt happy with how he made the offer and his description of what he was going to do. Went to the other company and told them i had a lower quote, he said he couldn't and wouldn't match it with the amount of work and materials involved, but he did give me a new reduced quote.
Went with the reputable company in the and paid and extra £200 - fantastic job and no niggly worries to keep me up at night.