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I cannot take a check for mowing your yard!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Carousel Realty of Dyer County Tn 248435000

I had a guy come in my office a couple of days ago and just about begged me to let him mow some yards. Of course I had compassion for the guy so said sure, I will start letting you mow some of the properties I manage and some of my own properties.

I directed him to one of my properties(between tenants) and he got started mowing. He drove back to the office and said he was out of gas and needed some gas money so I helped him out. Once he finished the mowing and weed-eating, I inspected the job and he had done a good job.

As I prepared to pay him I started writing the check and he said he doesn't have a bank account. I told him that was ok as I would follow him to my bank to get this cashed. He then said he couldn't take a check because he wasn't claiming this income. He just wanted cash! I dug in my pocket and paid him the $40 and told him thank-you.

Yesterday, he came back in for "more work". I told him there would be more work when he can take my check and pay taxes just like I do. I have a feeling that this is prevalent across the country. People want the government to help them but they in turn do not want to do what is right!

Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert
Interesting.  I think you did the right thing.
May 01, 2008 02:08 AM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor
Thanks you all for the comments. Cheri, I can understand how you feel.  
May 01, 2008 02:39 AM
Cheri Smith
Prudential Gary Greene, Cypress TX - Cypress, TX
Realtor Prudential Gary Greene
If you understand taxes, you will know that most of what my uncle had to pay went to social security. Since he is "self employed" he has to pay that himself.
May 01, 2008 02:49 AM
Kevin Robinson
Twin Falls, ID
Fractional Developer

I hate taxes! I know that we must pay them in order to get all of the services our govt gives us. I would love to be able to opt out of social security and medicare. I can take care of myself. I do not know why we need both a state and federal education department. I do not know why we need a state federal transportation department. I dont know...well you get my drift. There seems to be lots of redundancy in govt.

As a business owner I feel that our govt is making it harder and harder to start a business and to stay in business. I heard a joke the other day: What is the best way to own a small business in America? Start out with a big business!  With all of the red tape and fees, this statment rings true.

While making it harder to be in business, our govt is making it easier to get free assistance. I have guys who work for me and make more than the average income for our area who get WIC. Why? I have asked them and got various responses, but it seems that it is easy to get. What will we do when everyone decides to get the free money and services? How big will our govt be at that point? Is Bill Gates going to pay for all of us?

I have spoken to my Congressman's office and was told "we are looking at ways to change the system". Nice answer. I am looking at ways to become the next King of England.

Our current tax system is more than flawed. It is a mess. Only when enough of us get pissed off and start making a lot of noise will it change. If we start today maybe it will change when our great grandchildren are living.

May 01, 2008 03:24 AM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Kevin,

Personally I think we need to go to a consumption tax and abolish the IRS! Then, guess who else pays their fair share?

May 01, 2008 04:52 AM
Daniel J. Brudnok, REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach, REALTORS - Exton - PA License #RS-225179-L / Delaware License #RS-0025038 - Downingtown, PA
SRES, e-PRO,ABR,GREEN,CSP

Mike,

Enabling him is not what he needs....helping him get on the main stream path is.

May 01, 2008 06:36 AM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Dan,

I offered him lots of more jobs if he would just do it right!

May 01, 2008 07:47 AM
Michael Cole
CPG Tours - Corona, CA

Are you sure this even has anything to do with taxes? To me, it sounds more like he might be embarrassed about his financial situation. If he doesn't have a checking account, he may not even be able to get one.

Besides, if his real reason was that he wasn't going to report it, that wouldn't be affected much by whether or not he takes a check. He would have to mow a lot of yards for you, before you would have to file a 1009 on him.

Just a thought. 

May 01, 2008 11:47 AM
Broker Nick
South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL
Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service
Right on Mike. That is the American way, now workers are going to tell you how they want you to pay them?
May 01, 2008 03:16 PM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Michael,

This guy told me he can't take no check cause he don't declare no income. Don't feel sorry for him because I no longer feel sorry for him.

May 02, 2008 03:32 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Mike - Ahhh, trying to avoid paying the very taxes that the rest of us have to pay, huh?  I think Michael Cole above brings an interesting perspective out, but I tend to agree with your decision Mike. 

May 05, 2008 04:49 AM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Jason,

We live in a great country but we all have to pay our taxes to keep it great!

May 05, 2008 05:19 AM
Sonya Rosser
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers - Douglasville, GA
Hi Mike, thanks for helping him out originally but I am glad you had a change of heart on the next round.  Let's give him a fishing pole so he can catch the fish.
May 05, 2008 02:49 PM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Sonya,

I am willing to help just about anyone once but then they have to help themselves!

May 05, 2008 03:17 PM
Tchaka Owen
Galleria International Realty - Hollywood, FL
Mike - I don't think writing him a check will make any difference as far as him claiming income and paying taxes.  My guess is that you should have him fill out a W-4(?) so you can submit that.  Michael might be right about him being embarrassed about his financial situation.  Look at the bright side: he did a good job!  :-D
May 05, 2008 05:04 PM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Tchaka,

He was against filing out W-4 because then he would have to pay taxes.

May 06, 2008 01:41 AM
Robert L. Brown
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic
Tell him to do it for free. I see this here with people who clean yards and such. They don't want a check.
May 06, 2008 02:27 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County
I like your attitude...what is good for us is good for all! If he wants under the table income, work for tips!
May 06, 2008 02:47 AM
Tchaka Owen
Galleria International Realty - Hollywood, FL
Well Mike, I think you did the right thing.  I probably would have done the same.
May 06, 2008 02:30 PM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Robert, Gary, and Tchaka,

Thanks for the comments. I had another person ask me yesterday if I would pay them cash and I said "no".

May 10, 2008 07:24 AM