The Milan public prosecutor’s office accuses Airbnb of not having collected a tax on rental income received by owners over a period from 2017 to 2021, according to the same source, and which must be remitted to the Italian tax authorities.
Italian legislation requires the American platform to collect a 21% tax on short-term rentals.
When contacted, Airbnb did not immediately respond.
At the end of October, the Italian government affirmed its intention to fight once morest short-term rentals which escape taxation and to increase taxation on owners who offer more than one apartment on platforms such as Airbnb.
An amendment to the 2024 draft budget provides for the creation of a “national identification code” associated with tourist accommodation which will make it possible to track down those which have not been declared to the tax authorities, explained the vice-president of the Council Antonio Tajani, following a summit meeting of the government coalition.
“Thus, there will be transparency and the entire system will be regularized,” he argued, adding that this budgetary measure “will also increase state revenue” and contribute to “reducing the burden tax” of families.
As for the planned increase in the tax rate, “it will only be applied from the second apartment rented by each owner, so it will not be for everyone,” he assured.
Owners of short-term rental apartments can currently opt for a flat rate of 21%. This rate will rise to 26%
