Short-term rentals, extra tax kicks in for those who switch from Airbnb

The squeeze jumps. But only halfway. The generalised increase from 21 to 26 per cent of the flat rate on short rentals no longer appears in the text of the budget bill stamped. However, a correction has been inserted that, in fact, leaves the increase in the vast majority of cases: those who go through an intermediary, such as Airbnb, will still have to pay 26 per cent.

Everything revolves around the system currently in force, which provides for a basic rate of 26% forshort-term rental income and, then, the possibility of opting for the 21% rate, when filing a tax return, for only one property. Thus, those who rent two houses have 21% for the first and 26% for the second.

The Budget Law inserts a new rule, linked to the option to be included in the tax return. This is allowed 'provided that, during the tax period, no contracts have been concluded concerning that real estate unit through subjects exercising real estate intermediation activities or through subjects managing telematic portals, putting in contact persons looking for a property with persons who have real estate units to rent'. Thus, those who have rented through financial intermediaries will still be charged 26 per cent.

In essence, then, the deletion of the rule hypothesised in recent hours is likely to be only theoretical. Of the approximately 502,000 properties currently available for short-term rent, the vast majority are in fact through platforms.

The president of Aigab, the association of short-stay rental operators, Marco Celani, speaks of "a remodelling that changes nothing. The short-stay rental market passes practically all through online portals. With this formulation, the substance of the intervention, which increases the tax burden on these incomes, does not change. We reiterate our critical judgment on the measure, which is a disguised patrimonial asset".