PIXABAY
A guest room of a B&B.
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Momentum is growing for regulation and taxation of vacation rentals (“Pursue taxes owed from TVUs, B&Bs,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Sept. 18).
Part of the test of fairness and justice versus overreach and punishment will be how taxation and regulation are enacted. The city may not yet have considered some questions, such as:
>> If a homeowner terminates operation of B&B, will the higher property tax rate return to the normal tax rate upon termination?
>> Will homeowners terminating operation have to apply for the lower tax rate?
>> If older-adult owners have an exemption for a lower property tax rate, will the exemption play a role in how the operator tax is computed?
>> Will there be an application process to acquire a license, and what are the fees?
These and other questions should be answered if the city begins “ramping up enforcement.” Citizens need to know the full scope of the regulation.
Daniel Benedict
Waialua
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