Sir, – I see that the Revenue Commissioners are set to tackle the "shadow economy" and ensure tax compliance among Airbnb hosts ("Revenue advises Airbnb hosts to file tax returns or face penalties", Front Page, August 11th). It seems an overly heavy-handed move.
Categorising short-term room and property rental as a trade and thus liable for tax, as opposed to long-term rental, which is eligible under the “rent a room scheme”, is surely splitting hairs? As a “newbie” to the whole Airbnb concept, and having just returned from a trip using its accommodation, I can heartily endorse Airbnb’s merits.
My husband and I – both tax-compliant PAYE workers – could never have afforded two weeks visiting our daughter, who is interning in New York, were it not for Airbnb. (The average room rate for a hotel in in that city is $300 a night!) Our first host – a struggling actress and bartender – pointed out how Airbnb not only supplied her with a little extra income but also channelled revenue into communities not generally in receipt of tourist dollars. Likewise, our second host – a retired history professor – supplemented her pension with the modest additional earnings.
As guests we enjoyed not only affordable accommodation and the opportunity to tap into the rich seam of local knowledge at our disposal, but being immersed in surroundings and culture that were a far cry from the pastoral idyll in which we live in rural north Cork.
Airbnb is a wonderful concept, culturally and financially. It’s all about community sharing not contraband. Its participating hosts are easy pickings for Revenue. Surely there are bigger non-compliant fish to fry? – Yours, etc,
LISA LEAHY,
Ballinraha,
Ballyhooly,
Co Cork.