Airbnb to collect, forward occupancy tax money to Erie County from rental properties

(WBEN) - Starting this month, anyone renting an Airbnb property in Erie County will now be charged the 3% county occupancy tax or "bed tax" automatically added to the bill.

Visit Buffalo Niagara president and CEO, Patrick Kaler says this will come at no extra costs to the Airbnb host, as the Airbnb will be collecting and forwarding the county tax right through their systems.

"It's all done through Airbnb," said Kaler with WBEN.

Erie County officially becomes the 38th county in New York State to have an agreement with Airbnb occupancy tax collection. Kaler notes this has become an industry norm, as Airbnb is part of the new shared visitor economy. It's not just happening all over the state, but across the country and throughout other countries who have similar types of taxes.

Kaler also adds this puts hotel owners and Airbnb hosts on an equal playing field as hotel, motel and inn owners have been paying the tax since inception.

Visit Buffalo Niagara estimates the revenue generated from the tax on Airbnbs and home rental stay could be upwards of $1.5 million a year for the county, which will be used to boost tourism efforts and will aid in the improvement projects happening at the Buffalo Convention Center.

According to a statement from Airbnb , last year, hosts welcomed nearly 160,000 guest arrivals to Erie County, bringing an influx of tourism spending to neighborhoods in the county.