Smash and grab by Auckland Council

The Councils Bed Tax attack on Airbnb operators is nothing more than a wealth tax grab on small business.

At worst the Council is due a Business rate on the part of a private residence that is being used for the accommodation business they operate – but this simply perpetuates the business differential the Councils already impose on all business which has been proven inequitable in the past.

Airbnb is a modern day response to todays travellers looking for a new way to travel, stay and meet local people. Its pricing model allows new groups to travel and enjoy new locations that they may have been locked out of by the traditional accommodation providers.

Central Government already benefit by way of the business tax these accommodation providers pay.

Council claims they may not have the model right – well if they haven’t they have a lot more resource than a small business has to stop doing business and fight this stupidity.

The examples the Council uses ( $213 average per night ) to justify the rate increase is far from reality and chosen to justify their outlandish rate increases.

These small businesses should email me (mbarnett@chamber.co.nz) to provide them a collective voice instead of trying to fight the position taken by Council

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