In a move aimed at addressing the pressing issue of affordable housing, state lawmakers are considering giving cities and counties the option of implementing a 10% excise tax on short-term rentals.Under the provisions of the bill, the tax rate could reach up to 10% of the sale, with increments not less than 1%.Friday that the bill is needed to fund housing for tourism workers who don’t live in the area where they work.
“It isn’t a huge number, but it’s more than I have right now, and we can start addressing it ,” he said., a lobbyist representing Expedia, told the committee his company was originally against the tax when it was first discussed several years ago, but is now supportive of it. Arlene Bassett opened an Airbnb in Spokane four years ago to help pay her mortgage. She thinks a tax like this will negatively impact her ability to make money.Bassett added she is retired, 70 years old, and she’s afraid she will lose customers.