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

forzaitalia

Us ordinary mortals pay tax on everything we buy. Soon we will be taxed every time we pass wind! We don't get amazing allowances on top of our wages like the greedy, privileged politicians. If they had to live like the rest of us on the minimum wage or state pension, then they would accept any opportunity to save a bit of dosh. Oh hang on, what am I saying - they do it all the time too! We should follow their excellent example. So yes, I would pay cash as long as I knew the builder and felt happy with his work, and have done so many times.

riceman

If a builder takes a 'discount for cash' I am not assuming that he is not declaring his income to the VATman. I would have thought that unless he specifically indicates that the cash rate is only offered for him NOT to declare it or write a valid receipt then I would accept this as a requote.
I have had 'cash discounts' before (including Debenhams!) as it was part of my patter in getting a better deal. I have never said "do you give discounts for non declaration of income?" why would a customer be implicated in this? If the builder wants to give further discount under anything that doesn't imply unlawful/illegal behaviour such as the proverbial 'back of a lorry' then it's normal trading standards as far as I'm concerned. With cash discount, receipt and full accountablility on the builders part.

JayD

Sorry but for that amount of caash I would want a receipt - so I am sure Brian would want the full amount.
Without a written receipt I'd have no comeback if the workmanship or materials later proved faulty/inferior.

cjjohnson

I'd pay inc vat and request a receipt because otherwise if the work is poor then, in cash, I'd have no come back.

kevanf1

I don't know if anybody else has said this, but.. how do you know that the builder is passing on the amount of VAT to the taxman? It may appear that he is in the bill but you don't know for sure.

So, would I pay cash in hand? Absolutely I would. It is not the customer's requirement to pay VAT it is down to the builder to collect it on behalf of the tax man. How do you think the big companies go about things when they have massive sales? Do you query whether they are passing on the VAT then? They probably are but you are still getting the product or service at a cheaper price so what's the difference?

PeteHi

too right I would. I pay for all my building, plumbing, electrical work in cash, no VAT. Ive never come across a tradesman that doesnt want cash.

You save about 20% on the price and theyll come back and fix anything thats gone wrong as they are afraid of being reported.

I get an invoice off all of them too, its not my problem if they dont declare it.

I pay through the nose tax, ni etc in my day job. My cash in hand weekend job I dont. All's fair...

mr-tom_2

I will happily take a discount for cash, but not for tax evasion! If I have good reason to believe that they will cheat the tax man then I won't touch them (as they would also cheat me), but I don't think that in and of itself, a cash discount is proof positive that they will evade the tax.

Equity

I am dismayed by the general attitude shown by many respondents to this ‘dilemma’, i.e. that it is acceptable to evade paying taxes and/or to encourage others to do so.

When I consider the atrocities, starvation, disease and other misfortunes suffered by people in many other countries and/or at various points in history, I am continuously happy to be living in this country at this time. We have a stable system of government, it is safe for us to go out on our streets; we have education, health care, emergency services, pensions, good roads, a justice system and many other benefits. Perhaps some of them can be improved but people living elsewhere would be overjoyed to have them.

However, all these good things cost money. Taxes are not a penalty; they are the way that we all pay for our stable lifestyle. Anyone who evades paying them is effectively scrounging by taking the benefits but expecting other people to pay for them.

bigoggy2007

Equity wrote: »

I am dismayed by the general attitude shown by many respondents to this ‘dilemma’, i.e. that it is acceptable to evade paying taxes and/or to encourage others to do so.

When I consider the atrocities, starvation, disease and other misfortunes suffered by people in many other countries and/or at various points in history, I am continuously happy to be living in this country at this time. We have a stable system of government, it is safe for us to go out on our streets; we have education, health care, emergency services, pensions, good roads, a justice system and many other benefits. Perhaps some of them can be improved but people living elsewhere would be overjoyed to have them.

However, all these good things cost money. Taxes are not a penalty; they are the way that we all pay for our stable lifestyle. Anyone who evades paying them is effectively scrounging by taking the benefits but expecting other people to pay for them.

taxes suck:mad: :mad: . and i ain't paying em

liberty1264

untill recently I would not have done this, but the way I have been treated by the system I now realise it is everybody for himself. everyboby in government is pulling a fast one and getting away with blue murder why should'nt I