Airbnb: Bruno Le Maire wants to reform the tax on seasonal rentals

Seasonal rental in the sights of the government. "What questions me today is that we keep a favorable tax system for Airbnb", launched Bruno Le Maire on BFMTV Friday morning. After which the Minister of Economy and Finance said he was “open” to a “tax reform” which applies to seasonal rental landlords on the Airbnb platform. With a clearly stated objective: that this taxation "be equivalent to that of other housing".

Without specifying the timetable, Bruno Le Maire declared that Bercy was going to "make proposals to the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic". On the merits, the minister considered that it was a “question of justice”. "As long as there are windfall effects that are too great and a tax system that is too favorable, there is no reason to keep this tax system which leads to excesses," said the Minister of Finance. 'Economy and Finance. Contacted, Bercy declares working on this reform without being able to communicate more details today on the proposals. “The goal is to encourage long-term rental,” it says.

This position by Bruno Le Maire comes a few days after announcements by the Prime Minister to respond to the housing crisis, which is, according to a very divided opinion, a "social bomb". Far from being convinced by the measures, professionals in the sector have unanimously expressed their disappointment, even their anger. The Minister of Cities and Housing, Olivier Klein, had declared on this occasion that he was in favor of “taxing the Airbnb more”. It seems to have been heard at the Ministry of Finance. “A single measure cannot answer the housing problem, but it can contribute to it”, assures one in the entourage of Bruno Le Maire.

Income from rental on Airbnb represents a substantial windfall for French “hosts”, according to the nomenclature of the American company. They generated a median income of 3,916 euros gross in 2022, or 3,086 euros after taxes and social security contributions, according to a study by Asteres for Airbnb. This amount represents roughly “one month of disposable income” for donors and “a little more than eight months of food expenses,” says Asterès.