Denver to collect Airbnb taxes ... FINALLY!

[James Carlson]

Okay, Denver Airbnb and short-term rental hosts. Looks like the city of Denver will finally start collecting the 10.75% lodger's tax and then remitting it to the city. You are no longer the middleman.

I'm sure everyone else got the same notice from Airbnb. It will go into effect for all guests who book on April 1 or later.

Another interesting part to note: Airbnb will NOT share any individualized information with the city. 

"We will be filing one tax return per jurisdiction with the total combined reservation revenue for all Airbnb bookings in the area," Airbnb said in its release. "This means that all hosts will be represented by one payment amount, and we will not be providing your personal information on the return."

I'm glad to see this as cities like Steamboat Springs and Colorado Springs already had similar arrangements with Airbnb. 

[James Carlson]

@Michael Greenberg

I don't think the city of Denver is psyched about changing their Airbnb/short-term rental laws any time soon because it requires the full committee process and the full city-council process. That said, it's not out of the question. At the last Short Term Rental Advisory Committee meeting, Denver officials did say that they had long-term plans to look at further defining a "primary residence." The thought was to go to something more like Boulder's definition.

Boulder's ordinance actually lays out a minimum number of days you have to live in the home each year for it to be considered your primary residence. They also have specifically outlawed spouses from each owning a "primary residence."

The officials I talked to at the meeting didn't think those were sure bets to change and even if they did want to change them, it would be more than a year away. I'll continue to watch.