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Council directs staff to prepare written guidance after Airbnb declines new tax-collection agreements
Summary
City staff reported that Airbnb will not enter new tax-collection agreements in Missouri absent a mandatory legal obligation; council directed staff to prepare and distribute written guidance and support to registered short‑term rental hosts about remitting lodging taxes.
The city manager updated the council on short‑term rental lodging tax implementation and recommended city staff prepare written guidance for hosts after efforts to secure a tax-collection agreement with Airbnb stalled.
Mike Scray said the 2023 ordinance made short‑term rentals subject to the city lodging tax and that staff held a public hearing in October 2024. Staff contacted Airbnb to request a collection agreement; Airbnb responded by email saying it is not currently entering into new collection agreements in Missouri and is only collecting taxes in jurisdictions where there is a mandatory legal obligation. Scray said communications with Airbnb were “nearly impossible” and staff had reached out via multiple channels.
Scray asked the council to select an option. The council signaled support for option 3 — prepare and distribute a written explanation and instructions to registered hosts and assist hosts on how to remit taxes themselves — while one council member requested a staff-host update meeting (option 2). Staff said approximately 20 short‑term rentals were registered with the city and that online listings show more than that number in the region.
Council members emphasized fairness to hotels and the visitor center, which benefits from lodging-tax revenue. Staff will prepare guidance for registered hosts, follow up with Airbnb to accept its offer to communicate with hosts, and provide updates to council.
