Airbnb has taken sides. The tourist accommodation rental platform said on Wednesday it supports the establishment of a global tax regime for digital companies, which the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) is working on. No less than
137 countries are participating in the discussions that have been blighted since the United States called for " a break " in mid-June. Washington then reiterated its threats against all countries that would set up national taxes targeting Gafa (Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple) and other digital companies.
Read also: The Collectionist, the luxury French Airbnb, takes off this summer
“For a global taxation system to work effectively, it must be truly global, consistently applied across borders, and easy to comply with,” proclaims Airbnb.
Airbnb must show more transparency
The platform, whose rise to power has shaken the global hotel industry, is involved in numerous legal proceedings for unfair competition. In France alone, its second market after the United States, it pays virtually no tax to the state. Concerned about the housing of their inhabitants, the major tourist destinations of the planet are seeking to control the development of the platform.
Read also: Illegal subletting: Airbnb condemned
At the heart of these conflicts, the level of taxation of the digital giant. However, to continue to attract investors, Airbnb must reassure and display more transparency, which would explain its position in favor of a global tax. His IPO project, postponed because of the coronavirus, forces him to do so. According to the Wall Street Journal , a first listing could take place by the end of the year. Airbnb is reportedly planning to file documents with the SEC, the policeman of the US Stock Exchange, this month. When questioned, the company does not confirm this information.
Hit hard by the stopping of travel around the world because of the Covid-19, she raised a billion dollars in the midst of a pandemic and obtained an additional 1 billion in loans from investors. But its valuation would have fallen to less than 20 billion.
