Hi John!
Yes, several of us fell into that trap last year. Here’s (likely) the problem. You got a BTR (Business Tax Receipt) and you got the County’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT), but you didn’t get the LBTR from the county. For some reason, when the county issues TDTs they don’t tell you that you need the LBTR.
Here is what you need, and how to fix it:
1. Go to the county TDT office in West Palm Beach and pay for an LBTR county license. It’s about $68.00;
2. There is a catch 22. Airbnb will ask for you to be added to the “reinstated” list by the county. Problem: If you didn’t buy the license in the first place, you can’t be “reinstated” because you were never instated in the first place.
2. When you’re there, buying your LBTR, play nicely with the ladies at the front desk. Ask them if they can speak to the Airbnb liason on their staff. They will sometimes tell you that they do not have one. They do. There is a person in the office that makes up the “reinstated” list that is sent to Airbnb’s tax department. They can’t put you on the list but ask if they can write an instatement email to Airbnb with your LBTR and your TDT number. They have done this many times, including for me, so I know that it can be done.
3. Go on to Airbnb. Change your BTR number to the county’s LBTR;
4. Contact Airbnb host support, and ask them to email the tax department and explain that you have a letter coming from the Palm Beach County Tax Collector that will straighten out the problem. I know that there is a woman who worked in tax, Tina, who has been through this before. See if she’s still there.
Once Airbnb has your LBTR in the proper slot on your account, and proof of your correcting the deficiency from the Tax Collector, you will be reinstated some number of days afterward. Mine mysteriously went on about four days later, without notice.
I know how frustrating that is! Palm Beach County and Airbnb have had a very contentious relationship. Airbnb should tell new hosts about the LBTR and BTR.
Just so you know you need:
1. LBTR
2. TDT
3. BTR for your city, if required
4. Florida DBPR Vacation Rental license.
Reply here if you have questions or problems.
Brian Ross