Taxes

[Mr-Hof0]

The more I look into taxes on this site, the more shady Airbnb becomes.  Not only does it appear they are holding 28% from me "for taxes" because I choose not to enter mytaxpayer info, but they also appear to be charging my guests for local taxes when there is no agreement with Airbnb and the county in which I am located in the first place!

[Lauren18]

The 28% is apparently withholding imposed by the IRS, and to avoid it you have to fill out a form (I can't remember the number, but it's available on line through AIRBNB).  The withholding should be available for return at the end of the year, unless you owe taxes.  I consulted my tax accountant about this.

Different cities have imposed different tax structures on AIRBNB, and laws are rapidly changing - in Tucson  we are now accountable for city lodging taxes, and the county is trying to re-classify AIRBNB property owners a commercial, thus raising our property taxes.  Whenever there is an income, taxation forces will make sure they have a cut - I can't really blame the success of AIRBNB for this.