How do you go about collecting occupancy tax?

[Jennifer139]

Hi there. New host here.

I recently found out that I live in a city where AirBnb does not collect Occupancy Taxes on my behalf. I currently have Smart Pricing on so I can not embed my taxes in the pricing. The Help center suggests using the Special Offer feature, but I can't send special offers to guests who Instant Book. 

Any suggestions on how to go about collecting the tax? 

Thanks,

jennifer

[Charlotte122]

Did you get an answer?  I thought the special offer link would be accessible even if they instant book.

Charlotte

[Kate228]

Did you ever get this worked out Jennifer?

I have a host who is looking to collect TOT from guests, but after contacting the City Of Mountain View, it sounds like they don't collect TOT from Airbnb hosts anymore.

Do you happen to know? You're in Mountain View, is that correct?

[Sandy128]

Jennifer, I just started hosting and I have the same question.  I didnt find any replies that answered your question.  Did you resolve this issue and if so, what did you do?  I have not been able to find the answer yet.  Thanks, Sandy

[John-and-Heather0]

@Jennifer139@Sandy128@Kate228@Charlotte122

Hi all and welcome to hosting!

First just FYI-- there is a separate discussion board for "taxes and regulations" and most threads on these topics are moved there.

To answer your question, the current best practice is to clearly communicate the extra tax issue in your rules as not included in the quoted price (Tax is x% and must be paid through AirBNB before check in), then use resolution center to separately collect it. Ideally, when you accept a reservation remind them of the tax when you send your welcome email (since many guests don't read your rules).

To access the resolution center, next to the reservation click "send or request money," select "extra services," calculate the local tax and send the guest the request with a note that the figure is the local tax.

If you want to snoop to see how this is done, you can click on our profile, select "view AirBNB profile," and see how we have worded the need to collect the local tax to our guests in the rules for our properties.

Good luck!