Airbnb remitted taxes help

[Denise1997]

Hi, trying to figure out what type of taxes Airbnb remitted. And what we owe. I do know MA is 5.7% and local is 6%. I never filed the monthly Massachusetts short term rental reports. Really need to figure this out!. I can attach any images if helpful. Thanks!

[Joan2709]

@Denise1997 

Fortunately, it looks like Airbnb collects and pays the taxes for listings in Massachusetts and Tisbury Township (you can double check with your state/local tax authorities). Your entire calendar is blocked, so I couldn't check your listing, but I checked another listing in Oak Bluffs, MA and the taxes were a total of 11.7% on the reservation collected by Airbnb and paid for the Host to Massachusetts.

Mass Occ Tax 5.7%

Tisbury Township Tax 6%

Below are some articles to read about how tax collection and remittance by Airbnb works. If the taxes above are the only taxes you owe, then looks like Airbnb is collecting and paying them. It there are some other local taxes that Airbnb isn't collecting, then you would be responsible for collecting and paying those. The articles explain where to look on your account to find the total taxes collected for each reservation and where to look on your account to find out what tax authority they are collecting for:

How Tax Collection Works On Airbnb

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1036

Tax Collection Massachusetts

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2587

Example of Reservation in Oaks Bluff, MA

Check your Listing to see if Airbnb is collecting the above taxes for you:

Listing Editor

Click Preferences Icon

Click Taxes

[Denise1997]

@Joan2709  Thank You for your help! I opened up one day on the calendar and used my husband's account to pretend buy a night. I was able to figure out that adding up the nightly fee, cleaning fee, and Airbnb fee equals the 5.7% MA tax. So now I know that my local town was never paid. At least I know what has been done and what now needs to be done. Thanks so much!!

[Denise1997]

Although when I opened the expense summary for past reservations it didn't work. Why doesn't occupancy taxes add up to 5.7% like it does when booking a new reservation? Doesn't even add up to 6% local... Any help appreciated! Thanks 

 

[Denise1997]

Ok if I go into each reservation individually and add up what the guest paid. Nights, cleaning fee, and guest fees it now equals 5.7% MA tax. You can't use the Host payout or expense summary to calculate the MA tax. So their definitely taking out MA at 5.7%. No local tax.

[Denise1997]

Fix

[Joan2709]

@Denise1997 

Did you go to the Listing Editor/taxes section on your listing to verify what Airbnb indicates for your taxes? See the screen shot above.

This is also where you need to go to add a "Custom" Tax (if they even allow that). I don't think that option is available to you as it seems Airbnb has an agreement with Massachusetts to collect and pay all taxes. If they aren't collecting the Tisbury Township tax, then you'll have to work with Airbnb on that. It's clear other listings do show the Tisbury Township tax, so it's possible Airbnb has not assigned the correct TAID - (Tax Area Identification code) to your listing. Only they can correct that.

I would also verify with Tisbury Township if you are even required to collect the 6%. It would depend on your actual, legal address of the listing. They will be able to tell you. If you not withing the borders of the township, then you wouldn't be required to pay it.

[Denise1997]

 

[Joan2709]

@Denise1997 

So it looks like on the above example they are only charging the state 5.7% in taxes, not the addl 6% for Tisbury?

[Denise1997]

 

Yes there's no choice for local tax. I suppose I'll have to submit that myself. Thanks again!

[Joan2709]

@Denise1997 

Their should be "Taxes" choice in the Preferences Menu. I forgot, in order to see that, you have to turn on Professional Tools in your account. It looks like you aren't using Pro Tools.

I would turn on Pro Tools and then check this section again. You may have to logoff and log back in after turning on Professional Tools:

Professional Tools

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2499

[Denise1997]

I turned pro tools on. Logged out and back in. Still no Tax option under listing editor preferences. I did find a community tax option under calendar, settings, pricing, additional fees. Maybe this is where I need to add local taxes...

[Joan2709]

@Denise1997 

Some features on Pro Tools aren't available on the App, but only on a desktop. Are you using a desktop/laptop computer, or the App?

To know for sure you have turned on Pro Tools correctly, you will see your calendar appears different. It is in a horizontal strip. This only appears on a laptop/desktop. It won't be visible in the App:

Multicalendar on a desktop:

No...I wouldn't use the Community Fee as this normally increases your price per night. The place to see taxes on your listing is under the Preferences Section, not the Calendar. The calendar is only to add addtional fees to the listing. 

BTW...I would also turn on Guest Profile Photo required in this section.