Do window cleaners pay VAT? If so what percent. Is there anyway out of that?

That鈥檚 a shame! I鈥檓 from the US & had NO idea the government was this bad with regard to taxes! 19% + 17.5%= Abuse of the honest taxpayer. 36.5% of our earnings! That鈥檚 unheard of back home!

Our window cleaning company is quite large. We will have to register for VAT. I don鈥檛 know if its worth it to charge customer 17.5% VAT or just make less money to not have to register. Honestly tell me you guys would you accept paying 17.5% on each monthly or two monthly clean (if you genuinely knew it was going to VAT)? We don鈥檛 even accept cash - cheque, debit card, PayPal yes....but cash no. Well at least we wont ever get audited! :)

I see now why so many people avoid paying for things where ever possible. Tax dodging as it were. If my 17.5% was going towards a greener earth or helping those on allowance develop skills to get jobs or open a few more hospitals then I'm all for it. But I don鈥檛 even know where my money is going!

If his business turnover (ie income before expenses) is more than 拢64,000 per year then he MUST register for VAT.
Most self employed window cleaners would not have that level of income and therefore would not be registered for VAT.
However, if the window cleaning is contracted to a person or company who have window cleaners working for THEM, then it is probable that the person or company who organises your window cleaning has a turnover in excess of 拢64,000 and would therefore be VAT registered.
Current rate of VAT is 17.5%.
Hope this helps.

I doubt they pay the proper amount as they are usually paid cash in hand.

Window cleaning is a business, the same as any other, so yes, they do pay VAT. See or speak to an accountant.

Lots of cash in hand - so do they even pay tax? Good on em!!

oh course they do, everybody is honest to the tax man!

Only businesses with over a certain level of income need to register for VAT - though, if you want, you can register below that amount.

So, only window cleaners with a very high income would legally need to register.

Most window cleaners and other similar workers do not register for VAT, and operate as self-employed where they pay income tax on declared earnings.

You have to remember that your commercial customers will be able to reclaim the VAT through their own returns. I thought you had a sales tax in the US - that's all that VAT is.