General Discussion

longship

(40,416 posts)

112. That's her business, not yours.

Fri Mar 1, 2013, 10:30 PM

Mar 2013

She prefers cash. Then, either do it, or not.

I work with many locals who work cash only here in my very rural area. It's none of my business how they handle it. I am neither meddlesome nor presumptuous enough to be concerned of their motives.

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126 replies

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What should the response be to someone wanting to be paid in cash for a service? [View all] phylny Feb 2013 OP

If you trust her to be in your house, why don't you trust her to pay her taxes? slackmaster Feb 2013 #1

Because people who pay taxes usually accept checks or other forms of payment pnwmom Feb 2013 #42

Every detail of the Proles lives must be documented and recorded green for victory Mar 2013 #123

I wonder how many times 2naSalit Mar 2013 #124

This is what I thought... kiapolo Mar 2013 #126

Trust has to be earned. Clearly she's already having doubts JimDandy Feb 2013 #63

If I had doubts about someone's honesty WRT paying taxes, I wouldn't let that person... slackmaster Feb 2013 #91

In a case like that... pipi_k Feb 2013 #92

Is she an undocumented immigrant? roody Feb 2013 #2

Tell her there are IRS implications and that you are concerned. If she says something negative Lint Head Feb 2013 #3

There are no IRS implications for the op. Warren Stupidity Feb 2013 #26

W9 merrily Feb 2013 #86

She's responsible for filing her taxes not you. Cleita Feb 2013 #4

You don't have to do this when you hire independent contractors, who control their own work. pnwmom Feb 2013 #43

Not true Tumbulu Feb 2013 #57

Exactly. JimDandy Feb 2013 #68

That's because you were operating a business. The 1099 form is for businesses. pnwmom Feb 2013 #95

So basically both parties have to be in business? n/t JimDandy Mar 2013 #99

No, I don't think so. Because businesses have issued 1099's pnwmom Mar 2013 #100

Interesting. Thanks JimDandy Mar 2013 #121

The 1099-misc form is for payments made by businesses. pnwmom Feb 2013 #96

Get a receipt. N/t Evergreen Emerald Feb 2013 #5

^^^This^^^ demwing Feb 2013 #31

this SmileyRose Feb 2013 #50

How much did you pay for her work? n/t Egalitarian Thug Feb 2013 #6

Some of our clients write checks, some pay cash. We expect payment notadmblnd Feb 2013 #7

If you want to take it as an expense Tumbulu Feb 2013 #59

What if she is cheating on her taxes? Ohio Joe Feb 2013 #8

Yes but there are millions of those small fries cheating the system. I would not be surprised doc03 Feb 2013 #10

So... 'Lets get the small fry first'? Is that what you want to do? Ohio Joe Feb 2013 #15

Hmm. I know a few myself and they don't make enough money to qualify for income tax. They are poor. Pisces Feb 2013 #17

ding! FirstLight Feb 2013 #65

What about Self Employment taxes (aka FICA, aka Social Security and Medicare taxes)? kelly1mm Feb 2013 #76

Yes, and the time will come when they're old and receive very little if any napi21 Feb 2013 #87

Just make sure you file the W-2 or whatever tax forms are required, then the taxes are her problem. backscatter712 Feb 2013 #13

Sadly, per the IRS's statistics, this is one of the largest ares to generate revenue. joeglow3 Feb 2013 #60

THIS ^ Adsos Letter Feb 2013 #80

If you pay cash, you should get a discount. FarCenter Feb 2013 #9

CYA: Give her the cash, with a receipt, make her sign for it, and send her a W-2 form. backscatter712 Feb 2013 #11

you can always 1099 her at the end of the year ProdigalJunkMail Feb 2013 #12

Only if the total pay is at least $600 slackmaster Feb 2013 #24

I think that form applies only to payments made by a trade or business. pnwmom Feb 2013 #47

interesting... ProdigalJunkMail Feb 2013 #88

I dont see most housekeepers making that much per year that she would have to pay income tax. Maybe Pisces Feb 2013 #14

What about SE taxes? AKA FICA/SS/medicare taxes? That is 15.625% over $400. Should kelly1mm Feb 2013 #78

Yes. She should be paying the taxes Travis_0004 Mar 2013 #103

Pay her however she wishes and get a receipt. After that, it's really not your concern. kestrel91316 Feb 2013 #16

The cancelled check is a good enough receipt. Ikonoklast Mar 2013 #114

Good answers from all. phylny Feb 2013 #18

Welcome to the Underground Economy. IdaBriggs Feb 2013 #19

Vulcan mind meld, Ida :) phylny Feb 2013 #22

It's tough stuff, especially when they are LOOKING at you. IdaBriggs Feb 2013 #32

If you pay her over $600 in the year, send her a 1099 next January Ruby the Liberal Feb 2013 #20

^^^ This. You need to file a 1099-MISC on her or her business. Lex Feb 2013 #71

YOu would not send her a 1099-s. Travis_0004 Mar 2013 #105

I'd just pay the cash, as requested LadyHawkAZ Feb 2013 #21

Rubber checks can be a big problem Art_from_Ark Feb 2013 #46

The housekeeper had no problem taking a check... JimDandy Feb 2013 #69

She did have a problem taking a check. merrily Feb 2013 #84

Uh...pay her cash? HooptieWagon Feb 2013 #23

She is hidding something. Chances are she isn't paying her employees taxes or southernyankeebelle Feb 2013 #25

Cattle? Adsos Letter Feb 2013 #83

LOL yes cows. She raised and sold cows and put the money in her social security because southernyankeebelle Feb 2013 #98

I grew up in a world where "cash" was the normal form of payment. Warren Stupidity Feb 2013 #27

The first time I heard of a plumber having a "cash" rate and a "check" rate jberryhill Feb 2013 #39

The world became more JimDandy Feb 2013 #70

Ultimately, it's not your responsibility Jeff In Milwaukee Feb 2013 #28

Maybe she finds cash more convenient. Her tax affairs are none of your business. (nt) Nye Bevan Feb 2013 #29

Honestly, I would consider using the cash payment as a negotiating point for a better rate. maggiesfarmer Feb 2013 #30

Maybe she takes only cash because people have written her bad checks thelordofhell Feb 2013 #33

Then why would she take a check written to cash? nt kelly1mm Feb 2013 #79

How about giving her a postal Money Order? demwing Feb 2013 #34

There a many people who would love to have your business. Pterodactyl Feb 2013 #35

Get a receipt for her work and the rest is her problem. Lone_Star_Dem Feb 2013 #36

Someone above said to send her a 1099 jberryhill Feb 2013 #37

Why? It is none of your business. She is not your employee. Warren Stupidity Feb 2013 #40

No shit, that's what a W9 is for jberryhill Feb 2013 #41

LOL snooper2 Feb 2013 #44

Really? jberryhill Feb 2013 #56

some income level, beats me.. snooper2 Feb 2013 #61

An indivual does not file 1099's Travis_0004 Mar 2013 #108

I remain astounded by some of the comments here jberryhill Mar 2013 #111

I never said I was for cheating Travis_0004 Mar 2013 #113

Many small businesses prefer cash so they don't end up with bounced checks - lynne Feb 2013 #38

Do the other servants demand cash? Demo_Chris Feb 2013 #45

Generally, phylny Feb 2013 #54

I am happy to pay anyone in cash who desires it 1-Old-Man Feb 2013 #48

Nobody is obligated to accept checks or credit and it's impolite not to mind your own business. JVS Feb 2013 #49

When I pay someone to do something, I pay them in whatever tender they ask, but I generally ask for Zorra Feb 2013 #51

Cash. Buzz Clik Feb 2013 #52

I'd find a different service bhikkhu Feb 2013 #53

Everytime you pay cash at the store you don't know if they are paying taxes on it! indie9197 Feb 2013 #55

True, but when I owned my own company and paid all that, I also phylny Feb 2013 #64

Yes, but store transactions generally involve a receipt. n/t Adsos Letter Feb 2013 #85

I go for the cash discount every once in awhile. I don't agreee with someone really scamming brewens Feb 2013 #58

The response? "Are you sure this is the good stuff?" Tom Ripley Feb 2013 #62

Legal Tender kenny blankenship Feb 2013 #66

It could be as simple as the fact that she had a negative balance at HER bank.. Ghost in the Machine Feb 2013 #67

NOT JimDandy Feb 2013 #72

Why?? She could have had rubber checks from other clients that bounced.. Ghost in the Machine Feb 2013 #77

I get amazed when people are suspicious of you for wanting a cash transaction. Sadiedog Feb 2013 #73

When shit happens as it has, and people are shoved into marginalized society they create lonestarnot Feb 2013 #74

Seems like an awful lot of people are worried about how other people pay their taxes.... OldDem2012 Feb 2013 #75

If she does a great job, pay her in cash as she asked. MrSlayer Feb 2013 #81

What is your concern here? And what do you want to do? merrily Feb 2013 #82

If you want them to provide the service, LWolf Feb 2013 #89

how about okay? Zax2me Feb 2013 #90

I pay my cleaning lady pipi_k Feb 2013 #93

To be honest... 99Forever Feb 2013 #94

Very interesting and varied responses, thank you. phylny Feb 2013 #97

I'm not the IRS Travis_0004 Mar 2013 #109

I have been stiffed by checks, usually rich people, so dont assume it has anything to do with taxes larkrake Mar 2013 #101

I'm sure there are lots of house cleaning services that follow the law and do a good job ThomThom Mar 2013 #102

Your call itsrobert Mar 2013 #104

I would ann--- Mar 2013 #106

Are you getting a receipt for services rendered? Texasgal Mar 2013 #107

If you get a receipt, why do you care? Unless it is inconvenient. zonkers Mar 2013 #110

That's her business, not yours. longship Mar 2013 #112

My dentist gives me a discount if I pay her in cash (not checks, not credit card but greenbacks) I Raine Mar 2013 #115

just pay her cash, let her worry about her taxes putitinD Mar 2013 #116

Interesting question. wickerwoman Mar 2013 #117

Maybe she doesn't have a bank account Live and Learn Mar 2013 #118

I have clients who always pay in cash. Should I suspect they are tax cheats? riderinthestorm Mar 2013 #119

If you ever pay for a service in cash get a receipt TorchTheWitch Mar 2013 #120

Who cares if she cheats the government? Ter Mar 2013 #122

Yadira Iwillnevergiveup Mar 2013 #125