Whimstay collects taxes from your travelers and passes them to you. Here's how your rate is set, what it applies to, and why the amount looks different from Airbnb.
How your tax rate is set
We import your pricing from Airbnb, including the taxes charged on your stays. We read the tax applied to your listing for a given set of dates and apply that same rate on Whimstay. You don't set anything manually.
Because the rate comes from your Airbnb listing, it reflects whatever your local and state authorities require.
What tax applies to
Tax applies to the accommodation charge for the stay. Whimstay's guest service fee and property damage protection aren't part of the taxable amount.
Why your tax amount is lower than on Airbnb
Your payout discount means the stay will be priced lower on Whimstay. Tax is a percentage, so a lower stay price produces a lower tax amount at the same rate.
If your stay is $1,000 on Airbnb in an area with 12% tax, the traveler pays $120 in tax. If that same stay is $750 on Whimstay, the tax is $90. The rate is identical. It's applied to a smaller amount, so there's less for you to remit.
Tax remittance
Whimstay collects the taxes but doesn't file or remit them. We collect the taxes from travelers and pass those funds directly to you. You're responsible for reporting and paying them to the appropriate agencies.
If Airbnb currently files and remits taxes on your behalf, this is a change worth planning for. Some states and cities have agreements with Airbnb to handle filing directly, and those agreements don't cover Whimstay bookings. Check whether that applies where your property is before your first booking.
Understanding your tax obligations
Local tax rules vary by location. We recommend checking with a tax advisor or your local government to find out what taxes apply to short-term rentals in your area.
What this means
Your tax rate comes from your Airbnb listing, so there's nothing to set on Whimstay
Tax applies to the accommodation charge, not to Whimstay's service fee or damage protection
A lower stay price means a lower tax amount at the same rate
We collect the tax from your traveler and pass all of it to you
You're responsible for remitting taxes and filing tax forms
If Airbnb files on your behalf today, that doesn't carry over to Whimstay bookings
Consult a tax professional if you're unsure about your obligations
For independent hosts listing directly on Whimstay, our payment processing fee applies to your total including tax, and our host service fee does not apply to tax. You can find more details here: For hosts: How pricing works for independent hosts that list directly on Whimstay.