Paying cash to a babysitter for her services

Assalamualaikum

Is it halal to pay my babysitter/cleaning lady/nanny under the table in cash when we know she doesn’t report it and we can’t claim a childcare deductible on our income tax because she will only take cash? It is a significant amount, about $20,000 per year. We would have received a $3,000 refund from the government if we could report it on our income tax.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

If it is legal for the babysitter/nanny to take cash for her services, it is permissible for you to pay her in cash. Shari’a is very flexible in this matter, however, the legal status of the transaction should be determined and it should be dealt with accordingly.

والله اعلم

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

Approved by Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani