occupancy tax

[Doug108]

I am a new host in Haywood County, North Carolina. I have just completed my 1st month of hosting and need to know how to manage the occupancy tax reporting. I have been told by the person at the county level to send in a payment coupon with the total receipts and tax due listed, but to write paid by Airbnb on it and show the total due from me as $0.

I am not sure what to do on the state level. They have also provided me with payment coupon book, but I don't see any way to inform them that tax has been paid by Airbnb. I called and talk to someone at NCDOR, but they did not have an answer for me. I also called the Airbnb help line, but they did not have an answer for me, either. With the thousands of North Carolina hosts out there, I am sure there is an answer. I will appreciate your response.

Thanks, Doug, J.

[Michelle1358]

There really isn't one.  Before becoming a host myself, I was director of a North Carolina County's occupancy tax collecting Tourism Development Authority.   AirBnB and Occupancy Taxes is a big issue industry-wise, with no clear solution.  We can be grateful that the industry forced AirBnB to start collecting the taxes.  What I do is simply allow AirBnb to collect all the taxes on my behalf and remit them.  That way -- I am covered if anyone comes after me -- which is doubtful.  The NC industry is more interested, in general, about going after AirBnB than individual hosts -- especially in more rural areas.  At least, this is what I do.  Hope it helps.