Taxing Airbnb: “Fair-bnb,” Or Too Taxing To Tackle?

The Baltimore Business Journal has posted a slideshow of the most popular rooms available on Airbnb in Baltimore – reporting that:

Many Airbnb listings around the city can offer guests the same amenities as a hotel room: private bathrooms, a washer and dryer, access to a pool and even jacuzzi tubs.

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Popular Baltimore room, “Stay In The Center Of It All,” available on Airbnb

Even so, such rooms are not subject to the local hotel tax – or at least, most do not collect it – potentially leaving thousands if not millions of dollars in tax revenues on the table. According to the article:

The popularity of Airbnb in Baltimore has been a sticking point for many politicians. City and state officials have tried, but come up short, numerous times to more heavily tax Airbnb renters. But owners say they’re doing a service for the city by bringing in tourists who normally wouldn’t stay in the city if they had to pay for a full-price hotel room.

More than 24,000 visitors to Baltimore stayed in an Airbnb rental between March 2015 and March 2016 — more than during the same period the year before, according to the company.

Think Airbnb units in Maryland are limited to Baltimore City? Check this out.

Learn about the nuances of the taxation debate and Airbnb at this year’s annual MACo Summer Conference, “You’re Hired!” During the session, The New Look Vacation: Opportunities & Responsibilities in the Sharing Economy, county tax collectors, Airbnb representatives and the traditional brick and mortar hotel industry all come together to parse out how to ensure local hotel taxes are collected equitably without unduly burdening new emerging opportunities for our residents.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: