Moonlighting should have a high cost

The government considers moonlighting morally and socially wrong. It therefore proposes to put an end to it by establishing a triviality threshold so that favours for neighbours and friends, and young people making a bit of pocket money walking dogs or mowing lawns, are not covered by the moonlighting rules.

When it comes to construction work costing more than DKK 10,000, it should, in future, be the responsibility of the individual citizen to ensure that the work is not being carried out "off the books". Otherwise, the citizen will be required to foot the entire bill for the lacking VAT and tax payments, writes Jyllands-Posten.

However, if the customer pays for his new carport with a debit card or via an online bank transfer - thus enabling the tax authorities to check the transaction - the customer will not be held responsible for any unpaid VAT or taxes.

Insurance companies must file reports
The insurance companies will also be required to report to the tax authorities when claims above a certain amount are paid out  for real property.

The proposal seeks to minimise the risk of claims paid out in cash to the policy holder being used to pay for repairs done off the books.

The government expects the preventive effect of the threat to make citizens accountable to revolutionise the fight against moonlighting, according to the Minister for Taxation Thor Möger Pedersen (SPP).