JACKSON – Starting this month, Airbnb, the largest world’s largest community-driven hospitality company, begins collecting and remitting state-administered occupancy taxes — commonly known as hotel taxes — on behalf of its hosts and guests. Mississippi joins more than 300 municipalities globally — including a number of nearby states, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida — where the platform is voluntarily collecting and remitting occupancy taxes.
Under the agreement, which went into effect on Oct. 1, Airbnb will collect and remit the seven percent state hotel occupancy tax on all eligible bookings in Mississippi, along with various local tourism and economic development taxes administered by the state. Guests will be charged the appropriate taxes during their transaction on the Airbnb platform and Airbnb will then remit to the state the taxes collected.
“With 1,200 Airbnb hosts across the state of Mississippi, we look forward to the important economic benefits this new agreement will bring to local resources, communities and families,” said Will Burns, Public Policy director for Airbnb in Mississippi. “Being able to collect and remit taxes on behalf of our hosts and guests will help Airbnb’s community pay their fair share, is a win-win for Mississippi’s growing popularity, and will create an additional stream of revenue from the state’s tourism industry.”
Airbnb has partnered with over 300 governments throughout the world to collect and remit taxes.
Airbnb in Mississippi revealed that 1,200 total active hosts collectively earned $3.5 million in 2016 and showed 25,000 guest arrivals in 2016. A typical host in Mississippi earns $3,200 annually from sharing their home 13 nights per year.
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