AirBnB has begun to collect State Sales Tax and Transient Occupancy Tax in Florida. Unlike other sites that send those tax dollars to the host, AirBnB forwards the money to the state, in the form of one big check, that covers every rental made in the entire State of Florida through their website. But... They don't provide the State with any accounting of which hosts to credit with what amounts. I spoke with AirBnB about this, and they wrote back to tell me that they wanted to protect my identity, and I needent worry, that they won't divulge that information.
Huh..... ???
I checked with the State. They told me that if I couldn't prove that AirBnB had collected the tax and forwarded it to them on my behalf... if I didn't have an accurate accounting of exactly how much of their great big check should go towards crediting my Sales Tax Account, that I would remain fully responsible for collecting and forwarding the appropriate taxes to the appropriate agencies. AND they warned me that if I did not comply with the law (As we have for twelve years), they would go after us for back taxes, plus fines, late fees, and penalties.
This does NOT make me comfortable at all. AirBnB does a great job of connecting us with guests from around the world. The boost they have given to our bottom line is very much appreciated. But their absurd methodology of dealing with Sales and Transient Occupancy Taxes is completely unwarranted. It is so much easier to comply with State and Local regulations on any other advertising platform. WHY they insist upon complicating things, and "Protecting our Identities" is beyond me.
PLEASE AirBnB... We are Licensed and Registered with The State, The County, and Local Municipal Governments. They even come out and inspect us on an annual basis. We not only comply with all regulations, but we like it. We're not hiding from anyone. PLEASE... help us to operate within the law... stop acting like a bunch of quasi-anarchists. We are legitimate... We don't wear Guy-Faulkes Masks, and "No Snitches" buttons.