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Should you get a receipt from tradespeople?

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls said people should always ask for receipts but, just because someone asks to be paid in cash, it doesn't mean they're avoiding tax

Simon Read
Friday 20 February 2015 21:00 GMT
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The shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, walked into a row this week when he said people should always ask for receipts when employing traders, such as gardeners or decorators. But do you have to get a receipt and could you be charged if a trader is caught avoiding tax?

The key thing to bear in mind is that just because someone asks to be paid in cash, it doesn't mean they're trying to avoid tax. There are several reasons why some traders prefer cash, not least to help with cashflow.

But if a tradesperson was caught not declaring income then they could be prosecuted for tax evasion and that could mean a prison sentence. That said, if they didn't declare income they received from you, that doesn't mean that you're guilty. The offence is committed by non-declaration, not the payment.

Tradespeople have several legal obligations. They must inform HM Revenue and Customs that they are trading and therefore liable to income tax. They must also register for VAT if their turnover is above the VAT threshold (which is currently £81,000). Finally, they must submit correct and complete tax returns.

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