Will You Take Cash?

It was early 2007 when I was asked this question for the first time. The person asking me was a local business owner and friend. He wanted me to clean his rental unit. Now, he didn't ask to pay me under-the-table. He implied it and I knew it. This was a difficult place to be. First of all, we really needed the money. I didn't want to say no to the cleaning job or offend him. Plus, I didn't want to do something that I knew was wrong. It took me a few seconds to respond. "Yes. I do take cash as well as checks. Just to be clear and you're probably not even asking me this, but I am required to charge sales tax on all cleaning services."

My response answered his question without accusing or assuming anything. It allowed him to save face. If he only wanted to hire someone under-the-table, he would have passed on me. He did not. I completed the job and remitted sales tax. This was a huge win for me as I held strong to my values and integrity. My friend respected me more like a professional business versus someone just cleaning to make some extra money. My wife was proud of me and I know my God was proud of me.

I have been asked this question a dozen times over my 15 years in business. My answer is the same every time and it comes with a smile. Why would I share this story in a newsletter to my community?

• Some of you reading this are fellow business owners and hearing this reinforces what you already do. I congratulate you for your integrity!
• Some of you reading this are new in your business. I encourage you to adopt this stance early on. Be a legitimate company from the beginning and separate yourself from the under-the-tablers! 
• Some of you reading this are homeowners. I want to encourage you to ONLY hire legit companies for all of your home needs. They MUST be properly licensed and insured. They must be tax-compliant.

It's totally fine to pay with cash! Just make sure you plan to add 6% to the cleaning price for sales tax in Pennsylvania.  ​