This isn't really an AirBnb issue...this whole vacation rental home thing has been brewing for at least 15 years, long before Airbnb existed. The first time I heard about the issue was from a small-hotel owner on a family island back in 2002. AirBnb is being involved now because its low-hanging fruit and AirBnb has experience dealing with this kind of tax-issue from other jurisdictions in Europe and North America. One has to assume that once the government has tthe AirBnb tax in place that they will then go after the VRBO/Homeaway crowd and then the self-promoters who just do direct bookings.
Getting away with what exactly? Your comment implies they have been doing something wrong or illegal or avoiding something. Lets be clear, the only thing that saved the tourism product on Eleuthera these past 20 years was the vacation home rental market. If it hadn't been for that the economy in Eleuthera would have crashed years ago. Should the second home owners who are renting their homes out in the vacation rental market pay some sort of VAT or a type of room-tax? Definately..they are running a business. But claiming they have been "getting away with something" is out of order, inaccurate and dis-honest.
Eliminate Duty,Stamp Tax and Vat on fresh, frozen fruit and vegetables, dried pulses,rice, milk,cheese, beef and medical supplies. Increase Vat to 10% on everything else but get rid of all customs duties,stamp taxes and environmental levies on all imports.
Exactly Dillytree...nobody is complaining about having to buy a license...they just need to make it as simple as possible. As you said...the biggest threat to the bonefishing industry is Bahamians netting bonefish....notice Prescott Smith never addresses that issue.
becks says...
Have these people never heard of condoms? The pill? IUDs?
On Sacked BAIC staff: We thought our roles were permanent
Posted 17 August 2017, 3:32 p.m. Suggest removal
becks says...
This isn't really an AirBnb issue...this whole vacation rental home thing has been brewing for at least 15 years, long before Airbnb existed. The first time I heard about the issue was from a small-hotel owner on a family island back in 2002. AirBnb is being involved now because its low-hanging fruit and AirBnb has experience dealing with this kind of tax-issue from other jurisdictions in Europe and North America. One has to assume that once the government has tthe AirBnb tax in place that they will then go after the VRBO/Homeaway crowd and then the self-promoters who just do direct bookings.
On Taxation to hit vacation home rental sector
Posted 12 August 2017, 12:38 p.m. Suggest removal
becks says...
Getting away with what exactly? Your comment implies they have been doing something wrong or illegal or avoiding something. Lets be clear, the only thing that saved the tourism product on Eleuthera these past 20 years was the vacation home rental market. If it hadn't been for that the economy in Eleuthera would have crashed years ago. Should the second home owners who are renting their homes out in the vacation rental market pay some sort of VAT or a type of room-tax? Definately..they are running a business. But claiming they have been "getting away with something" is out of order, inaccurate and dis-honest.
On Taxation to hit vacation home rental sector
Posted 11 August 2017, 11:04 a.m. Suggest removal
becks says...
Eliminate Duty,Stamp Tax and Vat on fresh, frozen fruit and vegetables, dried pulses,rice, milk,cheese, beef and medical supplies. Increase Vat to 10% on everything else but get rid of all customs duties,stamp taxes and environmental levies on all imports.
On Plans to reduce, not repeal VAT on common goods
Posted 26 May 2017, 10:35 a.m. Suggest removal
becks says...
Does that really matter?
On Peter Nygard guilty of contempt and fined $50,000 in illegal dredging case
Posted 7 March 2017, 3:01 p.m. Suggest removal
becks says...
Sheeprunner12......The aircraft is owned by a Delaware corporation called
"Strong Tower Services LLC Trustee"
On Drugs and money found on plane in Abaco
Posted 27 February 2017, 9:48 a.m. Suggest removal
becks says...
Exactly Dillytree...nobody is complaining about having to buy a license...they just need to make it as simple as possible. As you said...the biggest threat to the bonefishing industry is Bahamians netting bonefish....notice Prescott Smith never addresses that issue.
On Fly fishing chief slams ‘absolute foolishness’
Posted 17 January 2017, 11:01 a.m. Suggest removal
becks says...
Observer2.....Please explain. Your comment makes no sense at all.
On Developer urges: Don’t ‘destabilise’ residency market via $1m mark
Posted 19 December 2016, 3:37 p.m. Suggest removal
becks says...
Commercial fishing for Bahamians by Bahamians only!!! And I'm Canadian.
On BNT ‘advised against’ agriculture and fisheries partnership
Posted 9 November 2016, 5:08 p.m. Suggest removal
becks says...
Chinese not heartless...ever hear of Tibet,Cultural Revolution..just two examples of Chinese heartlessness...you must live under a rock.
On Israel is seeking ‘technological co-operation’ with the Bahamas
Posted 5 November 2016, 10:58 a.m. Suggest removal