- Airbnb executives have been asked to a meeting with France’s Budget and Finance ministers to provide details about their use of Payoneer money transfers.
- Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin said he had become concerned about alleged “fiscal optimisation” by the Airbnb renters who took payment via the Gibraltar-based company’s apps and cards.
- The minister did not indicate that there was evidence of such optimisation.
French tax compliance is based on review of bank activities. A French tax-resident who received money transfers to a Payoneer card would be able to spend the funds without putting them in the bank – this, of course, would be true of other card-based transfer apps like Skrill or those using a PayPal debit card.
But the volume of receipts to Airbnb has attracted the attention of the top government officials because it is so large – tourism in France is one of the country’s largest economic activities. Such is the popularity of Airbnb in France, that Paris, for example, has more than 300 rentals on offer, which earn, on average 150 euros per night’s stay. This has made Airbnb into a much-desired solution for landlords, because renting on a permanent basis is extremely difficult to manage under French law.
Further, access to Payoneer is facilitated on the Airbnb website – one can enroll with just a few clicks.
Commenting on the Budget Minister’s remarks on radio station Europe 1 on December 3, an Airbnb spokesperson said that Payoneer is not specifically used by Airbnb, rather it is one amongst a group of money transfer solutions. Airbnb hosts are also obliged by the company to provide tax information based on their receipts.
Airbnb has been singled out by the French government a number of times in recent years. Airbnb hosts are now legally obliged to register their rentals with the government.
