Airbnb Rejecting a Valid Tax Identification Number – Has Anyone Experienced This?

[Verah0]

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping someone in the community has experienced something similar or can offer some advice.

I'm an Airbnb host in Kenya. Airbnb is suddenly rejecting my Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Personal Identification Number (PIN), which is Kenya's taxpayer identification number, and is treating it as invalid.

The issue is that my KRA PIN is active and valid. I've confirmed this directly with the Kenya Revenue Authority through their customer care, visited their offices in person, and verified it using their official PIN checker.

What makes this even more confusing is that Airbnb had already accepted this exact same tax identification number. They have been using it for tax reporting and even issued multiple Kenyan withholding tax certificates using it, including certificates issued between 31 July and 3 August 2026.

Despite that, Airbnb's system now suddenly says my tax identification number is invalid and has started withholding 20% tax from my payouts.

I've followed every instruction provided by both Airbnb and the Kenya Revenue Authority, including ensuring that my tax records are up to date. The Kenya Revenue Authority has confirmed that my tax identification number is valid and there is nothing wrong with it.

Unfortunately, every Airbnb Support representative I contact redirects me to the same case manager, but he has stopped responding to my messages, leaving my case at a standstill.

Has anyone experienced Airbnb suddenly rejecting a tax identification number that had previously been accepted?

If so:

- How was it resolved?

- Was it a technical issue on Airbnb's side?

- Was your case escalated to the tax team?

- How long did it take to fix?

Any advice or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Amanda3476]

Hi Verah! I also am having the same issue. My payout was even reduced yesterday because of it and I immediately contacted the Airbnb Support. They haven’t responded to me after escalating several times. It’s very frustrating and my KRA PIN is still active. I feel like it’s something very sketchy going on! 

[Alice2009]

Having a similar issue as well. Not yet resolved 

[Verah0]

Yes, same here unfortunately. I’m continuing to report it to Airbnb Support and pushing for them to actually investigate and resolve it. Hopefully they address this soon for all of us.

[Beat2799]

Hi Verah,  The same on my side. All on Kenyan side is valid and active but Airbnb is not accepting it.

The error can only be at Airbnb in my opinion.

I have also received tax-withholding statements from KRA already before the issue came up. So the pin is valid.

[Verah0]

I am still getting the invalid pin error but I managed to talk to an ambassador who told me the specialized team will contact me on email within the next 24 hours

I am still waiting 

[Audrey1352]

They told me that the specialized team was getting back in a few minutes. That was Friday, till now, no communication unless it’s me initiating it.

[Luxury-Anywhere-Africa0]

I'm going through the same exact thing down to the withholding certificates!

This started on Wednesday evening (5th August). They even put my business details under verification to date. After numerous calls and texts, they escalated it to the tax team. The first Support agent stopped responding and another one took over my case and told me last night that the name on my Airbnb profile does not match the name on the business PIN. Yet my profile and PIN go by the same name. The only place where they don't match is in the settings under the personal info section where they ask for your legal name as on your ID .

I was told to put my business name as first and last name cause that's what is attached to the PIN. For picture verification, I uploaded my business registration certificate under ID and submitted. It was rejected so I messaged them with the screenshot of the section and asked them exactly what to fill into those sections. I'm waiting for a reply. This has been an extremely frustrating process!

[Audrey1352]

I have also experienced this. They’ve been taking me in circles since Friday 7th. They keep saying my case is with the specialized team, who are not responding at all. I have tried raising new message threads but they go quiet once they realize it with the tax team.

I have spoken to the guys at KRA and they say that my pin is working fine. I have even received the withholding certificates for the reservations I’ve had since the beginning of the year. 

It’s quite unfair and disappointing especially with the terrible communication from Airbnb.

[Marc-And-Thelma0]

I’m actually grateful to have found this conversation as I thought it was just me. I have spoken with my accountant who did some digging and she explained that this was an issue between kra and etims. There is an internal circular that says the issue will be fixed by the end of the week. So basically when Airbnb check, the information is not being relayed to them on Etims which is why our PIN is showing as not being valid. 

I’ve called endlessly. I’ve written equally as many times. No replies to messages and on phone I keep being told an expert from the tax team is imminently about to call or write, but for 5 days now nothing. 

[Amanda3476]

Hello does the eTims and KRA both have to be active then it will work? Or is it still not working even with your eTIms and KRA pin both working? I do hope this is the case and it will all be resolved by the end of the week. My payouts have really suffered and more than that, the lack of responses or feedback by Airbnb is causing such a big headache. I am at my limit with this! Thank you so much, shout out to your accountant! 

[Luxury-Anywhere-Africa0]

Any luck? They have been taking me round in circles with the same nonsensical explanation of the first name on my Airbnb profile not matching the first name in my KRA business PIN. They sent that again last night and completely ignored my follow up messages asking exactly what I should fill in and where. 

[Shiro32]

Hi I am also experiencing the same I keep updating, but still getting invalid, has anyone been assisted with this and how ?

[Florence1307]

Hello, I have also been experiencing the same issue since last week , contacted KRA and they said the issue is with Airbnb I have called them several times times , had the issue escalated and nothing has been resolved till now

[Annie2146]

Going through the same. Them asking you to remove and add another one is insane. Which other one? We only have one pin.

[Teresiah0]

I'm experiencing the same and I have had to block my calendar do that I don't get booked,that's so unfair