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.

[Wangechi3]

Hey. I am also experiencing the same issue and have complained about it to the airbnb representatives. It seems to be an issue with hosts in Kenya from what they are saying. Supposedly its KRA's system that's the issue but they are having it resolved in 48 hours. This totally sucks as the 20% that we are now being charged for bookings is affecting our income. 

[Verah0]

I thought the same at first, but after several  back and forth with both Airbnb and KRA. It's not a KRA system issue

My KRA PIN is active and valid, and Airbnb had been using that same PIN to issue my withholding tax certificates up to 3 August. Then, on 5 August, they suddenly marked it as invalid.

Airbnb has since told me they validate PINs through their own tax filling / verification process. So the issue appears to be with Airbnb's PIN verification process (or the third-party service they use) rather than KRA itself.

Several Kenyan hosts are reporting the same problem, so it looks like a broader Airbnb issue rather than an issue with individual KRA PINs but let's keep pushing airbnb because 20% deduction is ridiculous 

[Carol11071]

Happened to me since 5th August as well. I get long generic messages I instead of any direct address to the situation. I wonder if they'll do anything about the 20% withheld tax that's been imposed on US despite our compliance. This sucks!

[Verah0]

I'm so sorry you're going through this too, Carol. Mine also started on 5th August, so it seems we're experiencing exactly the same issue. No one at airbnb is addressing the problem.

If you haven't already, I'd encourage you to also call Airbnb Support and ask to speak to an Ambassador so they can open a case. I believe the more of us who report this through different channels, the more seriously Airbnb will treat it and hopefully investigate what's causing these PIN verification failures.

It's especially frustrating when we're fully tax compliant but are still being subjected to the 20% withholding tax. Hopefully, if enough affected hosts raise this, they'll prioritize a proper fix.

[Amanda3476]

I looked this up too and apparently we would have to ask KRA for a tax credit and Airbnb can’t do anything. It’s a rip off that their system is causing us to lose 20% when our PINs are active and valid. Very frustrating as I am losing through a few payouts between Friday and Sunday if this isn’t fixed. 

[Luxury-Anywhere-Africa0]

I specifically asked them to hold my payouts until this issue was resolved but they said they couldn't manually do it. I asked them what happens to the extra 15% that is being remitted despite my compliance. They said they will look into it once this issue is resolved because they can see from their end that my PIN is valid. So at least there was an admission there. I just hope they will follow through and refund all affected hosts.

[Amanda3476]

I hope they give back that extra 15% as I lost a lot from two payouts. I have one long term one being deducted today. I made several support requests and all escalated and then stopped responding. I called and nothing was done. I’m beyond frustrated. So they said they will repay what was withheld? I need to also address this because I wasn’t sure if the KRA is holding that money or Airbnb is. Please let me know if your issue is resolved soon. 

[Verah0]

Honestly, I feel like I’m being taken in circles as well. Regarding the extra 15%, they said they are investigating it and will get back to me, but I still haven’t received any resolution.

I’ve reached out to Airbnb several times, including through social media, but nothing has come of it. I’ve also had multiple support requests escalated and then simply stop getting responses. I’m honestly frustrated and mentally exhausted at this point because this has been going on since Wednesday evening.

I’m also hoping they refund the additional 15% that was withheld. From what I understand, the amounts deducted haven’t been remitted yet, so I’m trying to get clarity on whether Airbnb is still holding the money or whether it has already been sent to KRA.

I’ll definitely let you know as soon as I get a proper resolution. Hopefully they sort this out  soon.

[Wangechi3]

It seems like 48 hours have passed and nothing has changed. Let me do my part and keep on pushing for a resolution to this issue with airbnb. 

[Wangechi3]

Just got mine validated and back working. Was yours fixed? 

[Verah0]

Mine has also just been validated and working. The entire experience has been a nightmare 

[Teresa2550]

Same problem and mine is yet to be addressed , how did you go about it please

[Verah0]

Keep contacting them and you will get through to an ambassador who is willing to help. Mine just validated after I went on a rant on X and even tagged Brian and airbnb main account 

[Faith307]

@Verah0 what steps did you take to get it validated? Or should i just wait? I have reached out to them numerous times