DO YOU RENT YOUR HOUSE/APARTMENT ON AIRBNB? IT WILL SOON BE TAXED BY VI GOVERNMENT

Honestly I don't think the people would be as pissed about ANY taxes if the govornor and senators were living within the islands means. Literally spouting off about how broke "we" are and then PARKING the $600k in vehicles at the Ag fair (that were purchased instead of an ambulance... well that's a freaking slap in the face. The ENTIRE point is - sure we will help and pay more taxes BUT you bet your ass that they need to contribute! This means not staying at the Ritz, not hiring unqualified family, cutting your salary to a APPROPRIATE amount based on population, not buying 10k in sheets, not jetting off to the states every week for silly things and not paying your "entourage" to go with. These are just the things we know about... can you imagine what else? Forgive me but what's and where is the monthly/quartly? break down for gov appropriations? Isn't that supposed to be released to the public?

Personally I'll do whatever it takes to help these amazing rocks. If that's more taxes, ok fine but it's a real hard pill to swallow when mapp is out there just blowing money like crazy.

Whoa!! Wait just one minute, young lady!!! You're making far too much sense! Go have some rum or something to dull your perceptions. 🙂

I was wondering when the conversation would turn back to AirBNB.

The only way that would happen Alana is they would have to vote in a republican government, which ain't going to happen. If you look at every democratic run city, county or state run government, they are either about bankrupt or bankrupt such as places like Philly, Detroit and states like California, which is the reason why we have Obama care right now.

Just the opposite, Mike.
Republican states are the ones that have more financial issues, lobby and spend more, while giving less and have larger amounts of people on welfare.

Anyway, the Bills have passed:
There was slight chance the majority of senators would actually work on behalf of businesses and their constituents.

SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE SIN TAX BILL; MEASURE HEADS TO MAPP FOR SIGNATURE

http://viconsortium.com/business/senate-democrats-have-voted-in-favor-of-the-sin-tax-bill-measure-heads-to-mapp-for-signature/

I do wonder if it's legal for 14 sitting senators to be able to pass legislation without the 15 required by law.

Silly you, laws don't apply here........:-)

(tu)

Getting back to the subject of vacation rentals, I own a home on Saint Thomas that we rent through VRBO, Airbnb etc. I have a business license, and I pay the VI hotel tax and if applicable the gross receipts tax.
I read the provision in the bill that wants to change my property tax rate from residential to commercial, which would almost double my property tax. The theory is I guess that vacation homes are competing with hotels and therefore should be on a level playing field, but there is one major difference and that is profitability. Most of us are just trying to cover some expenses to better afford living in this beautiful place. Rental income helps, but is it profitable? No.
I don't know if this change ended up in the final bill. Does anyone know if it's still in there?

I read the provision in the bill that wants to change my property tax rate from residential to commercial, which would almost double my property tax.

The change only affects houses with 5 individual rental units or more under one roof. However, just like everything else in the VI, there will zero enforcement so no worries.