Rental property tax

[dark horse]

I've got a painter to paint my rental property but he doesn't seem to want to give me a receipt. I haven't paid him yet but if I pay by cheque can I offset this against tax with the cheque stub?
Do I need a vat receipt or is proof of the money going from my account into his account enough from my end? To offset against my rental income?

 

[murphaph]

I would have thought you could sit back and wait for his invoice if he doesn't want to just issue a hand written receipt with his name and address on it. You don't need a VAT receipt no, but you should have some evidence that you actually had this expense. A cheque stub may suffice but I wouldn't rely on it come an audit. I can only presume he's not exactly tax compliant judging by his behaviour. Did he state at the outset that he wouldn't be providing a receipt?