Room Tax

[RebeccaGChase]

How do you feel about whether or not short term rentals should be charged a room tax, similar to the tax charged to a Bed and Breakfast or hotel?

What would we loose, and what would we gain, if we agreed to be charged room tax by our local municipality on our rental income?

[wfe...@gmail.com]

I am opposed. I already pay higher city real estate taxes because I am running a licensed lodging house. I also have yearly inspection permit fees and all kinds of regulations which I have to comply with from fire department and inspection all services egress and safety division.
I would say that all these put together add a burden of $500 x year per unit of short term rental. Hotels have similar requirements, but they also have hidden tax discounts which I the small landlord doe not enjoy. The Copley, Marriott and Westin in Copley square, built over land which was heavily subsidized by state and city to encourage development in that area in the 1980s. I never received such tax incentives, why should I pay the same taxes they do?

[Jordan Allen]

I operate short term rentals in 11 cities across the US. I hired a lobbyist in Boston and in other cities and I've see the argument against paying lodging taxes and it's a losing argument. Especially since the taxes are passed to the guest.

Jordan Allen
Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals
www.StayAlfred.com
509.994.4781

On Sep 10, 2015 3:42 PM, "RebeccaGChase" <rebecc...@gmail.com> wrote:

How do you feel about whether or not short term rentals should be charged a room tax, similar to the tax charged to a Bed and Breakfast or hotel?

What would we loose, and what would we gain, if we agreed to be charged room tax by our local municipality on our rental income?

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[RebeccaGChase]

That's interesting.... So as I understand it, you already pay tax at a higher-than-residential rate because you are classified as a "Lodging House"?

[Patrick Flynn]

Agree with Jordan. I'm surprised it hasn't already happened and don't see much of a downside when it dies. 

Sent from my iPhone

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[Ea Gittings]

I believe bed and breakfasts with 3 or fewer rooms are currently not required to pay lodging taxes. I do agree with Jordan and Patrick that it is a losing battle and taxes will be legislated very soon. Nevertheless, it is certainly unfair to hold small establishments to the same standard as large institutional hotels. 

I think, however, that most difficult will be the compliance and inspection requirements that will come with the taxes--Elizabeth

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