Miami-Dade reaches tax agreement with Airbnb

Miami-Dade County has reached an agreement with Airbnb that will net them roughly $8 million in annual tax revenue, after allowing the short-term lodging service to collect a 6 percent county resort tax.

The deal is contingent on ratification from the County Commission.

Airbnb is likely to deliver over that estimate, as revenues from its near-7,000 hosts in the area rose by 25 percent year over year from January through February.

“We commend Tax Collector Marcus Saez and Mayor Carlos Gimenez as well as his administration for joining 35 of Florida's forward-thinking Counties,” said Airbnb Florida Policy Director Tom Martinelli. “This deal facilitates the cumbersome tax process for our hosts in this world-class market and ensures payment of their fair share in taxes. This marks an important day in the history of our company and we look forward to working with Chairman Bovo and the County Commission to ratify this deal on behalf of our host community. “

However, the agreement is purely a tax regulation and doesn’t signify the end of the Airbnb battle in populated areas like Miami Beach and Bal Harbour, “because each city has its own resort tax set at 4 percent and 3 percent,” respectively, according to the Herald. The service will start collecting a 3 percent convention tax in Miami Beach as part of the deal.

As you can see, Miami Beach Mayor Phillip Levine remains in a fighter’s stance on the matter.