While responding to a guest about canceling due to COVID-19 and the cost components of her booking, I realized I couldn't figure out how Airbnb is calculating the "Occupancy Taxes & Fees" in Seattle. Here's how it seems like it should be calculated... but it isn't. Hive mind, what am I missing?
WA Sales Tax (6.5%) - applied on listing price + cleaning fee + Airbnb service fee
Seattle Sales Tax for lodging (2.1%) - applied on listing price + cleaning fee
Convention & Trade Center Tax - applied on listing price + cleaning fee
Seattle STR Platform Fee ($1 per night)
Example:
Listing price ($200 x 5 nights) = $1000
Cleaning fee = $100
Airbnb Service Fee = $155
Occupancy Taxes & Fees = $215
Total = $1,470
When I calculate the taxes myself, using the rates & rules above, I get $187 -- that's $28 less.
Per WA and Seattle sources:
In Seattle, there is no additional Special Hotel/Motel Tax, or TPA Charge (as there are in a few other WA cities)
The "Combined Sales Tax" rate of 8.6% (WA + Seattle) already includes RTA, if any
I got the rules of what's applied to the listing price vs cleaning vs. service fee here:
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2336/occupancy-tax-collection-and-remittance-by-airbnb-in-washin...
Feeling clueless. What AM I missing???