How to collect additional local occupancy taxes

[Carly-And-Ilan0]

I'm extremely frustrated to learn that AirBNB has not been collecting ALL of the taxes that I have to pay. They collect on behalf of the county and state (4.2%) but not on behalf of Winter Park city taxes (additional 7%). There is no way for me to add this as a fee to the reservation. Instead, I have to indicate in my listing that you will get an additional 7% tax and then use the resolution center to request it. HOWEVER, i can't do this until the reservation is fully paid. It's April and I have a reservation in December. So now I have to put a reminder on my calendar to collect this tax 14 days prior to the reservation when it's fully paid. How is this logical at all? I've gone back and forth with support and it seems like this is the only way. How is everyone else handling this issue? 

[Emiel1]

@Carly-And-Ilan0 

In my country Airbnb recently introduced some options to add local taxes etc. to a listing.

They are under menu option: "local laws".

Hope this helps,

Emiel

[Lisa723]

 @Emiel1 we don't have that option-- at least I don't. I hope it is coming soon. @Carly-And-Ilan0 it's incredibly frustrating. I have the same problem with both taxes and pet fees. For taxes, I am [mis-]using the "community fee" feature to collect county lodging tax, with a disclaimer in my house rules to inform guests of this. It's still not quite right, because Airbnb will include this total in your gross payout statement, but it beats the method you describe. I think many smaller hosts either just don't pay their tax or build it into their nightly price.

[Emiel1]

@Lisa723  @Carly-And-Ilan0 ,

I like to show you a screenshot. Hopefully this feature will be introduced also in your part of the world. After clicking on "add taxes" (button shown in the background) a popup screen shows up:

[Carly-And-Ilan0]

@Lisa723 Do you just adjust your gross earnings down by your community fee when reporting your quarterly earnings?

[Lisa723]

@Carly-And-Ilan0  yes.

[Carly-And-Ilan0]

@Lisa723  Thanks! I'm going to try this. At least it means I don't have to remember to collect taxes months later. 

[Carly-And-Ilan0]

Hi Lisa,

I was just doing some math here. Since AirBNB remites the State of CO tax for me (4%), I think they are collecting 4% on the community fees as well. This means they are collecting tax on top of tax, essentially. Do you have this issue?

[Lisa723]

@Emiel1 thanks!  What tab is that under?

[Emiel1]

@Lisa723 

"local laws" , located on my Airbnb.nl website between "availibility" and "co-hosts" , at top of screen when managing a listing. This "add tax" feature is new, it's there since a couple of days.

[Lisa723]

@Emiel1  Thanks, that's great, I really hope we get it soon.  Right now this is all I have:

Occupancy taxes

Your listing is in OREGON where Airbnb collects and remits occupancy taxes on your behalf. [WRONG, it collects state but not county taxes!]

Learn more

Your local laws

Please educate yourself about the laws in your jurisdiction before listing your space.

Most cities have rules covering homesharing, and the specific codes and ordinances can appear in many places (such as zoning, building, licensing or tax codes). In most places, you must register, get a permit, or obtain a license before you list your property or accept guests. You may also be responsible for collecting and remitting certain taxes. In some places, short-term rentals could be prohibited altogether.

Since you are responsible for your own decision to list or book, you should get comfortable with the applicable rules before listing on Airbnb. To get you started, we offer some helpful resources under “Your City Laws.”

By accepting our Terms of Service and listing your space, you certify that you will follow applicable laws and regulations.

[Carly-And-Ilan0]

I think the reason we don't have that option is because AirBNB *DOES* collect some taxes for us. They just don't collect *ALL* of them which makes it incredibly confusing. 

[Lisa723]

@Carly-And-Ilan0 indeed. In fact, I only learned several months after our county instituted its tax that Airbnb was not collecting it as it does the state taxes. So I owed back taxes that I had not collected.  😞  😞  😞

[Chris1823]

I'm new to this and just like you, I hope they make some changes to make it more efficient for guests and hosts.  I just submitted feedback on this very issue.

[Susan3436]

I agree.  Their system is not logical and is extremely hard to use.  VRBO is SO much easier.