28% tax withholding deducted from my income - EU citizen

[Joachim36]

Hi everyone,

I am a host in Barcelona, born in The Netherlands, and I don't have anything to do with the American tax system.

Somehow Airbnb deducted 28% from all my bookings for two months. An American tax. Out of nothing.

After filling in some kind of a tax form (W-8BEN) it didn't happen anymore. But I am not getting my money back which they deducted from me. For me this is ridiculous, since I am not from the United States. 

I called over 25 times and spoke to a lot of people from the customer service of Airbnb. Nobody can help me.

I am desperate and have no idea how to get my money back.

Anyone an idea?

[Lilian20]

WOW

[Samah0]

can you please tell us how you filled in this form? what tax number to use and what did you put in the tax treaty part? I am an egyptian host in egypt with listings in Egypt and i am facing the same situation but i dont know how to fill in this form or with what!  Thank you in advance

[Terry-And-Elaine0]

If you go on payout preference menu, there is a spot called Tax payer information that you can fill up your information there

[Terry-And-Elaine0]

same thing happened to me , they have deducted since last Dec. its nearly 20,000 USD haha.. Im still dealing with it. I will let you know if i get it back. But its really hard cuz Airbnb never told you or helped you with any information that they remitted to US IRS. wish you have a good luck.

[Karin97]

Did you end up get anyhting back. I am just dealling with it right now. 

[David978]

I am having the same problem they are with holding over 22000 in payments.

I've been out to airbnb a couple of months with no satisfaction customer service can't help case managers can't help and if even put this in writing to me I am now going legal I have no other choice customer service and support I've received from airbnb has been the worst I've ever received in my life it's absolutely ridiculous they don't seem to care

[Kay63]

Hi, Any follow up on this?  22000 USD ?

[Michelle971]

 Me too I’m furious 

[David978]

Has anybody had any luck getting anything resolved 

[Karin97]

I am dealing with it right now. But have anything been resovled for you?

[Nina75]

In the past when I've done real estate deals with my family in Europe escrow would deduct 28% for taxes incase I would not pay the US taxes. Make sure that all of your taxes information is correct. If you do not provide proper tax information the US will deduct 28% taxes from all foreign entities.

[Kay63]

Hi,

I am a Belgian National with a few listings in Philippines and Thailand.  Airbnb started deducting 30% of my own hard earned income to pay for an US tax.  Surely this can't be legal???

I do not answer to the US government, but Airbnb still hijacked my own payout system and started deducting 30% of my bookings.  Luckily I caught them fairly quick since it started and I will not allow people to book my listings through Airbnb anymore until the stolen money has been returned.

I will not let this slide, and I will follow up here.

[Super47]

@Kay63

This has been going on for years. Have a look here..

AirBnB withholding tax for non-US listings 
https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Hosting/AirBnB-withholding-tax-for-non-US-listings-and-non-US-re...

[Kay63]

Yes, thanks.  Just went through that whole conversation.  Mind boggling that the withholding scam goes on.  It seems just a few people here and there get hit by it.  So very few people complain about this.