Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE REVENUE COMMISSIONERS’ decision this week to clarify Ireland’s ‘Rent-a-Room’ tax relief has meant that hosts on rental sites like Airbnb are now officially liable for tax on that income.
Home-rental sites like Airbnb have become increasingly popular in recent years, with the added character and experience (not to mention low expense) of a home stay ticking a lot of boxes for foreign tourists.
TheJournal.ie spoke to several Dublin Airbnb hosts to gauge their take on Revenue’s decision and what impact it will have on their business. All names have been changed.
Noel, a very recent member, rents a four-bed apartment in Dublin 4. He’s in the hospitality business full-time so in the short time he’s been on airbnb he has declared all earnings.
“I agree with the decision completely,” he says.
It’s only right as hosts on the site are taking business from legitimate enterprises who have to pay rates, staff, VAT etc.
You have to ask, do these people have insurance, like public liability? What happens if someone gets hurt? It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Sandra has likewise only been hosting for a short period of time. She rents the ground floor of her townhouse, close to the city centre.
“I had told my friends: ‘lads, this is easy money’,” she says.
I had set myself a figure of 10 grand for the year as the tax ceiling hadn’t been clear previously.
I can absolutely see where Revenue are coming from, we’re taking business away from hotels that are paying rates. It was such a good situation I had told myself it was really too good to be true.
At the same time Sandra has a few quibbles with the decision.
Well there’s sundry expenses for the hosts as well. We have to pay for cleaning, laundering, furniture, I mean there are standards that have to be met.
Revenue’s decision doesn’t make it clear how those kind of things can be claimed back.
Martin, host of a family accommodation in Christchurch was the most critical of Revenue’s decision of all our interviewees.
“I’m a full-time landlord so it won’t change anything for me – nevertheless it is pretty sharp considering the work and effort involved,” he explained.
I think it’s very shortsighted to be honest. It will make Airbnb not worth doing for the non-professional, taking away the hosts our tourism needs most.
They should be encouraging it not clamping down – Airbnb and its kind are the future for the industry.
Linda is one of the more experienced hosts we spoke to. She’s been renting her double-room on the northside of the city for three years. “I can see arguments for both sides,” she told TheJournal.ie
I mean there’s the housing crisis and Airbnb has to be making it worse. It’s hurting the student market because they can’t find anywhere, and I’ve had some really desperate people in touch with me and that’s upsetting.
But the financial implications aren’t really clear, it’s very complex. The decision will free up some accommodation but maybe shut down others. Likewise with Airbnb, maybe it had become too big a beast, this might make it better but it could destroy it either.
Which is a pity because it’s a fantastic resource for a tourist country.
Daniel has been hosting his Temple Bar apartment for two years. He has few issues with the announcement, seeing it as ‘always the way they were going to treat Airbnb once they got on top of it’.
Even with that declaration it’s still an amazing way to supplement income and to meet people from all over the world.
You may wonder, if so many hosts can see why Revenue have made their clarification how they are able in good conscience to affect the accommodation bubble by renting via Airbnb, and Daniel’s point seems to be the kicker.
“It’s just a lovely way to rent,” says Sandra.
Renting long-term you could struggle to be rid of the person if they were unpleasant, and you had to live with their moods.
Airbnb customers come with no baggage. They’re on holiday so they’re always in good form, and they’re so interesting. The positive energy you get from it is really special.
“The social aspect is what makes it,” agrees Linda.
Meeting someone knew every week and having full control over the room at the same time – it’s a brilliant resource and perfect for the kind of tourism the Irish like to promote.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Served on board ship of Ireland AIsling P23 for a few years..she nearly sunk in the med off Israel due to bad weather Force 10…tough cookie great crew
We’re you on it for that?sounds interesting could you tell us more?
Was on it P23 when the tanker Kowloon bridge tanker ,ship sunk off cork in 1987 in force 9 , three week security task. On for operation mallard (cant tell u) anchored of carlingford lough for 2 weeks and meany outher seach and rescue missions. Best kept ship in NS
@John Kennedy: must have forced the english out of you and all. :o
I’ll offer 29 quid for her !
Well done.
@Paudi Onail: *English
Was a recruit with. Served on Either same time you were on Aisling
I would have thought she’d have stood up to more than a force 10.
Fine men were on board.
The fivest
The Journal thinks highly of the RA.
Would they not permanently anchor it at the docks & make it into an attraction ?
More like an eyesore, be better anchored at Bachelors walk as a junkie clinic & brother
@OU812: Not really she’s not designed/big enough for a museum ship, nor are those cheap to sustain and support.
0812. Not suitable. A 60 m fisheries protection vessel is not HMS Belfast and has very limited attraction and potential. The upkeep per year wouldn’t be feasible and she would end up as an environmental disaster within 10 years like several similar projects in the UK. She still has many years of life left in her and should end being used in other nations service such as Emer and Aoife did.
We always seem to ignore just how awesome our defence forces and naval service are. I blame the media and our TDs for not highlighting the work they do more.
The PDF has a fantastic reputation for UN peacekeeping missions. So much so that when the UN moves into a new area for peacekeeping the Irish defence forces are one of the first groups they go to asking to provide troops. And not even peacekeeping efforts, but combat ones too. Our Rangers have a spectacular reputation internationally among special forces. They won international special forces competitions numerous times going up against the more famous likes of the SAS and the US Navy Seals, sent into East Timor weeks before the main UN force.
And the naval service too. The work they’ve done supporting customs actions, protecting fishing interests, and most recently the amazing work they’ve done (above and beyond that of other, bigger EU navies) in the migrant crisis deserves every Irish person’s praise and recognition, but even when it is reported no one seems to care.
Compare the sheer number of scandals pretty much every single other state department has suffered over the last couple decades to how many the Department of Defence has had. And they almost always come in on budget…frequently doing an awesome job despite being under budget.
I think we tend to ignore them because we’re neutral and everyone expects an army to be involved in fighting so we don’t think they’re good coz they’re not in wars.
@Bryan Kelly: I wonder if any of those that downvoted you might post something to explain why?
Doesn’t matter whether you write unthreatening, 100% neutral comments here. You could write the most innocuous, non-offensive comments, talking about how much you like oxygen, and I guarantee you’d still get a few red thumbs.
@Andy Sinclair:
I don’t doubt some genuine people have passed through the ranks through the years and done some good work, my issue is the need for 9,500 of them!
There are over 67,000 working in the HSE, even though 20k would be sufficient and nobody ever talks about that. Like it or not we need a defence force.
Andy and Bryan – I gave it the thumbs down. Not because I don’t agree with the good work the people of the defence forces do at home and abroad. Fair play to them. I gave it the thumbs down for your school teacher type, actually more childish detail… And then and then and then and then! I also struggle to think why any proper person would be worried about a red thumb on a comment, let alone a comment not even posted by them! People have opinions, deal with it!
Lmao…can anyone translate Brown Boots gibberish for me?
I think it’s something about my writing style being the repetitive use of “that” despite the fact I can’t find more than one of two in the comment.
But I might be wrong…it’s hard to see through the arrogant, impotent blustering of that response to figure out just what they’re saying.
And @BrownBoots: I don’t care about your red thumbs, just answering a question, but boy howdy do you seem to care about defending your red thumb. Methinks the lady doth protest too much.
@Bwyan – I think you’re forgetting you actually posted on this complaining about getting red thumbed you idiot. As for my arrogance and impotence etc which you refer to, I fail to see any example of that in my comment. The fact you responded within seconds if my comments shows you’ve little to no life and are, despite your protest, majorly concerned about red thumbs, thus making you an idiot! As for the then and then… I wasn’t literally referring to that word and it’s use, I was merely liking you childish explanation of things, which everyone is aware of, so yes… An idiot again! Good man, I’m off out Bryan!
You’re not very good at this are ye? I never complained, someone asked why people would red thumb my comment and I gave a theory, but okay pumpkin, if that equals complaining to you then you do you.
And it’s Saturday. I just got up and I’m sitting here with a cuppa before starting my day. Takes me like 5seconds to respond to your nonsense, not exactly a huge waste of my time.
But sure person who seems irrationally angry at me for……actually could you explain what it is you’re moaning about, you haven’t really made that clear yet.
Bryan, wouldn’t normally be bothered but I like, and find it easy to put pompous guts like yourself in your place. You’ve not once explained or given examples of why you said arrogant etc. To me it seems youre just one of these key board warriors, all guff, the greatest help in your life is the thesaurus app so you can’t feign a level of intelligence and moan about why you aren’t further ahead in life being as smart as you are. But hate to break it to you, it’s your opinion of your level of intelligence which is over inflated, to say the least. Your comments, things you say, mark you out as being someone who likes to think they are more intelligent than the average, but I hate to break it to you, you aren’t in fact your delusional. I don’t even know you but know that you probably are the type who bitches and moans about everyone and unfairness etc. yet you have neither the means nor ability to do anything about it so all you do is this. I’d love to put it in grander terms for you but would be afraid it might go over your head, so in short you’re a loser. I thought your original comment was childish rubbish stating the obvious, your silly retorts have just proved my point further, you idiot. Have a nice day. I should be too harsh, you’re the type of idiot I make a living off! Ha ha!
That was brilliant!!! I’ve never seen someone write so much without saying anything, while desperately reaching so many assumptions that I’m worried you might’ve dislocated your shoulder.
I can’t stop laughing…you’re killing me here. The smug intellectual superiority, while accusing me of smug intellectual superiority is just glorious.
Thanks for the giggles sweetie.
Bryan- I never once claimed to be intellectually superior. My main point was you seem to wish to portray this by your Wikipedia explanation if the the defence forces, and there have been many scandals etc. Regardless of that you wished to tell everyone one all you knew when it’s common knowledge already. But as I said, I reckon you’re that type, and aided by the fact you think that getting up at 13:00 on a Saturday is something to be proud of, well done! So tonight before you put your Jim jams on and lay your head down after a tough weekend of giving your opinion, Ahem in your case regurgitating an opinion from some online source, heaven forbid your own, so right before you start to drift off to dream about life not as a git, just think, for all the rubbish you spout, you’re still gonna have to get up in the morning and still be yourself, everyone can’t be wrong all the time as you think! Maybe it’s just you then, maybe, it most certainly is, you git. Your comments, are just those of antagonistic fool with nothing of substance, much like yourself really, so a good reflection. Speaking of which, tomorrow morning, maybe reflect on why it is where you are, stop blaming others and making things up and do something about it yourself.
Navy friend of mine was on board the night they intercepted the Marita Ann and boarded her. A future TD pulled a gun on members of our Naval Service which jammed when he attempted to fire.
@yelkcub: whacks of bs that story
@yelkcub: thats a pity isn’t it. What a pile of $hite
Yelkcub,put away whatever you’re smoking
@yelkcub: Not sure why you’re being downvoted. The record shows that Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris was on board that night so what you’re saying is highly plausible.
If he produced a weapon, he should have been nailed before he had a chance to pull a trigger. Sounds a bit ropey imo !
@bopter: Cause the Shinner bots don’t like reality.
What an insult to both sides. Most comments on here favour one side but this is new, the most bitter, hate em all.
Potentially libellous comment there Buckley. Is there a public record reference for this allegation that a future TD fired a dangerous weapon at the arresting party?
Had a fire in the funnel space back in 2006.. The whole ship went dead after midnight some 50 miles off the south West coast. The whole crew were involved in outing the fire and we managed to get her back alongside to set sail again three weeks later, amazing work by ever crew member. I have now changed profession
A shame that a ship that gave so much fine service must end up being auctioned. She and her many different crews saw some hard times.
Dock it down in Dublin docklands and live there it’s be the cheapest house in the area.
She was a great help to Fisheries Protection. Thanks for your service Aisling may your next life never know shame nor dishonour.
Hopefully the boat reads you’re nice message.
Turn it into a Brothel as a tribute to all sailors and leave it out in Dublin Bay til’ it catches crabs.
“IRA Ship”. Didn’t know the IRA had ships.
@Eamonn: it’s a bit like the US President and any plane he’s on being designated Air Force One. If the RA are on board running guns into the Republic then it’s an IRA ship.
The pira had a fleet of aircraft carriers. They have been decommissioned thanks to the good Friday agreement.
True prop Joe. The carrier nuclear cores are going to 7 ESB power stations for conversion. The other 10 are for new stations.
@Eamonn: would t that be the IRN (Navy) then!
@Eamonn: aint it mad how the dail has quite a few convicts
What sort of vessel will they be buying with the proceeds of the sale to replace her with?
@John O’Driscoll: They already replaced her with the P 63 WB Yeats, there’s a fourth hull ordered increasing the size of the Fleet. The money won’t be huge from the sale. (the P60′s are about 60 million euro’s)
Not sure why you’re being downvoted. The record shows that Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris was on board that night so what you’re saying is highly plausible.
Bopter,one more time for the hard of hearing
Now why can’t this ship be kept and made into an exhibition on the Liffey. There’s lots of people who would love to see the workings of ship.
@Steven Hillert: I really doubt there’s enough in Ireland to make her viable, more over she’s a small ship never designed for large movement of people through her. The costs of sustaining “museum ships” is fairly high with both the US and UK having “historical” naval ships sink at anchor or become so rusted they had to be scrapped. And the Defence Budget is small enough as it is, spend the money on a new Sail Training ship would be the better option if you wanted a “PR” feature.
We have a training ship the Jeanie Johnson at a cost of over 9 million euros !!
So is my Johnson
We could take the proceeds of the sale and build another sail training vessel. The Asgard 2 insurance money was wasted. Her mission inspired a couple of generations of Irish teenagers.
Lots of spelling errors to boot!
@John Cusack: There’s no way that the money from her auction will pay for a sailing ship (if there’s anything short of 10 million for a sailing ship I’d be surprised).
I bet yer man in mayo who bought the train and jet passenger plane will buy it for his clamping site!
Can someone explain to me why we need to replace this ship. Theres absolutely no reason why it cant be refitted and redeployed, i would prefer to see investment in air reconnaissance drones which would be able to cover more areas than another navel vessell for less investment. Total waste of tax payers money.
@Jimmy Berg: You really don’t have a clue do you? 1) the Navy has moved to at least 90m hulls due to sea state conditions, 2) it’s berthing capabilities wouldn’t be designed for mixed crews or up to modern standards 3) it now has an orphan weapon system in the NS and can’t be refitted for anything else 5) it’s hull is worn out, with all of that class having to have work done on their welds just to last this long.
More over the last study suggested at least 12 hulls and that was before we started deploying outside EEZ waters (which have expanded massively recently), and a drone can’t board a ship can it? It can’t check nets or cargo can it? Or provide medical support (which Rosin has had to do twice this week alone).
The 60 odd million for the P60 class is a) nothing in total Government spending b) is a bare minimum spec for what we need.
have your say