Taxation-State and Local Commons^™

Myth Vs. Reality: Airbnb And Its Voluntary Tax Collection Efforts, Richard Pomp

Faculty Articles and Papers

In this report, Professor Pomp debunks the claims presented in several reports commissioned by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (Hotel Association). Despite hotel profits reaching all time highs, the Hotel Association has continued to attack Airbnb.

Part I serves as an introduction to Airbnb and its solution to an administrative challenge confronted by tax jurisdictions. Airbnb operates a platform that links guests looking for short-term rental opportunities with hosts offering such services.

There are potentially millions of hosts who are unaware that they are subject to municipal taxes on short-term rentals. Municipalities lack the resources required to track down …