cash in hand payments - morally wrong?

The_White_Horse

I think, like speeding, the law makers need to ask why these laws are so flouted.

i doubt less than 1% of the population would decline to pay in cash for a reduction on the bill. I also doubt that less than 1% have never ever broken a speed limit.

the law is wrong. too much tax and too low a speed limit.

abaxas

Is tax 'morally right' ?

I dont think so.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

The_White_Horse wrote: »

the law is wrong. too much tax and too low a speed limit.

Can't quite believe this day has come, but.....

I agree with horsey.

System

Why not just change the law so that cash in hand jobs of value less than say £1000 are tax free?

Then suddenly it would become morally right, which would seem to suggest that there are no absolute morals, simply whatever the government of the day says.

PasturesNew

When I earn, say, £10/hour, and somebody does work on my house/car, that's "essential" and their hourly rate is £50/hour, I'll be damned if I'll then pay the Govt another £10/hour on top in VAT. "Discount for cash?" .... if that means the workperson still gets £50/hour and I still get my essential work done (potentially making the house/car safe and legal) then I'm not going to stop am I?

Is it morally wrong to be priced out of essential works for safety and legality because of the Govt taxes?

homelessskilledworker

HAMISH_MCTAVISH wrote: »

Can't quite believe this day has come, but.....

I agree with horsey.

That day still has not come with me reading your posts

homelessskilledworker

I believe that some self employed workers have given up on the Government when it comes to morality and sorted it out themselves. What about the immorality of working your socks off and then paying crippling taxes which then for example goes to lazy scroungers on welfare, or corrupt Mp's paying for their investment homes and expences.

kabayiri

Cash payments are not morally wrong. Builders like cash to ease cashflow concerns (at least mine did).

I didn't question them on how they organise and report their tax affairs. That's the duty of the state to monitor. In a similar vein I don't ask Vodafone when I pay a monthly mobile bill.

This is soundbite politics at play. No significant revenue will result from this statement. Perhaps the minister should focus on the Eurozone issue, and stop wasting time on small fry issues.

mellowtimes

kabayiri wrote: »

This is soundbite politics at play. No significant revenue will result from this statement. Perhaps the minister should focus on the Eurozone issue, and stop wasting time on small fry issues.

Think that is a bit disingenuous. The guy was asked a specific question on Newsnight about this specific scenario and gave his opinion as an answer. It's the media that have played it all up

Jennifer_Jane

I agree with kabayiri. It's not up to me to be asking my window cleaner if my £4.50 a month is bringing him up beyond his personal allowance.

I do wish that the Coalition members would think of what people are bound to say when they come out with rubbish like this. And to consider that the Daily Mail and such will definitely be mentioning that MPs own expenses record.

What he said, however, was that if you were offered a discount for cash-in-hand... I would have to confess that I have done this, albeit with a little pompous lecture about paying his tax. The minister is correct about the loss to the revenue, and also about saying that it's not just the big rich boys who may be tax-evading! Perhaps he could have been clearer if that was his aim.

Generali

kabayiri wrote: »

Cash payments are not morally wrong. Builders like cash to ease cashflow concerns (at least mine did).

I call BS on that. You are not going to get a 10-15% discount for 'easing cashflow concerns and you know it or at least should. It's convenient to believe it.

kabayiri wrote: »

I didn't question them on how they organise and report their tax affairs.

Nor should you. At the same time you shouldn't help them break the law any more than you should turn a blind eye to a thief. You have a responsibility to your fellow man.