Bruno Le Maire raises his voice. The Minister of the Economy said he was “favorable” this Friday to a reform of the very advantageous taxation of furnished tourist accommodation such as Airbnb, judging the windfall effects “too significant”, while these rentals are accused of aggravating the poor housing in the territory.
“On Airbnb, we have already tackled it, we have reduced the duration to 120 days”, declared Bruno Le Maire on Friday. BFM TV, with reference to the maximum authorized rental period for main residences. “What worries me is that we keep a favorable tax system for Airbnb. I am open to a reform of the taxation on Airbnb so that it is equivalent to that of other accommodation”.
Examination of a proposed transpartisan law postponed
Lessors of classified tourist accommodation (from 1 to 5 stars) now benefit from a fixed reduction of 71% up to 176,200 euros in revenue, compared to 50% for conventional accommodation, and 30% for empty rentals in the limit of 15,000 euros in rent. “We are going to work, to make proposals to the Prime Minister and to the President of the Republic, but I find it difficult to understand the very favorable taxation that applies to Airbnb today,” said the minister.
“We will reform this taxation. The only question is that of justice: from the moment when there are excessive windfall effects, excessively favorable taxation, there is no reason to keep this taxation which leads to excesses”, he added. A cross-partisan bill aimed at regulating furnished rentals has been postponed indefinitely when it was to be examined in mid-June in the National Assembly. According to Airbnb France, hundreds of thousands of French people rent accommodation on Airbnb, for a median income of 3,800 euros per year.