Airbnb could be taxed under new laws

Accommodation giant Airbnb could soon be regulated in Queensland, potentially creating a new tax for hosts.

Currently there are no state government laws overseeing how the Airbnb operates in the Sunshine State.

Instead, regulatory measures are left to the discretion of individual councils.

Councils are now demanding that Airbnb hosts pay up big.

“They’re capitalising on the tourist market… they’re not contributing,” Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington said.

“They're very much benefiting on the money being spent on marketing, so there's no reason why they shouldn't contribute to the levy.”

Airbnb has responded to the claim by stating its guests contributed $244 million in regional areas outside of Brisbane in the last year alone, or $230 a day per visitor.

“We find we’re not draining the community, we’re contributing,” pensioner and Airbnb host Ray McDonald said.

Mr McDonald has been welcoming guests to his home in Anstead for five years, and questioned the proposed regulations.

“The only reason I can see the government wants to (regulate) is they're looking for a bit extra in their coffers,” he said.

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