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quote:
Originally posted by kalakoa
I bet the tourists pay way more than their fair share of tax
If a tourist stays in an unlicensed B&B that's built on top of a homeowner exemption, which part is the "fair share" and who did the "cheating"?
I'm sure there are some of those out there. All I know for sure is the people I know that have vacation rentals pay their GET and TAT and every place I've stayed at has charged me for it as well. I hope they are in the minority and I also hope that someone does spot checks on the major booking sites to see that the listed properties are paying a reasonable amount in taxes. I pay GET for my cottage (that's rented long term for the foreseeable future) and charge what I think is a very reasonable rent. Then again, I'm a compulsive rule follower, so I may not be representative of the norm.
Just call me Mike
Me ka ha`aha`a,
Mike
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This editorial content raises a much better question:
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/opinion/c...te-tourism
If tourism is so great, then why can't most of us afford to buy a home on the wages that a job in the tourist industry provides? Why can't we take care of our homeless? Why are our state agencies so underfunded? Why are our ocean and land resources so depleted?
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state taking 90% of the cut and giving Hawaii island a 10% cut. This should be the other way around
No, the TAT should be a County function, not shared with State -- same with most other revenue sources.
Consider: a chunk of your car registration is State weight fee, which supposedly funds the State highway system. Assuming it's equitable (and I'm not convinced), why do vehicles on our island, which are driven on roads here on our island, require a State agency on Oahu to collect and disburse monies?
For what I'm paying to register my car, I want some local jobs created, here on the island where I actually live.
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All I know for sure is the people I know that have vacation rentals pay their GET and TAT and every place I've stayed at has charged me for it as well.
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There are people who collect the tax but don't report it as well as have the house listed as owner-occupied, taking the homeowner's exemption on the property tax as well.
A contract to an outside firm that gets a percentage of the missing taxes they collect would do quite well for the county.
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Armchair vigilantes can look at the FlipKey, Airbnb, VRBO, Homeaway, Craigslist etc ads for Big Island vacation rentals and if they don't see a tax number (which is supposed to be displayed prominently in all advertising) then they could send a message reminding them to do so, in a friendly way. They could be fined for that so you would be doing honest people a favor.
It would make policing it a lot easier, for the authorities - if they ever decide to crack down. I think most people do comply.
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A contract to an outside firm that gets a percentage of the missing taxes they collect would do quite well for the county.
This proposal assumes that County actually wants to solve the problem -- with most of the TAT going to Oahu, what incentive does County have?
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Armchair vigilantes...
Always remember, if you are pursuing your version of justice indoors from a large overstuffed chair, safety first. Should you use a pitchfork and torch for a more authentic experience it's best to put small erasers over the times of the fork, and perhaps replace your fossil fueled kerosene torch with LED bulbs. They'll reduce the likelihood of a fire, and it's better for the environment too!
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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quote:
Originally posted by VancouverIslander
quote:
Originally posted by kalakoa
I bet the tourists pay way more than their fair share of tax
If a tourist stays in an unlicensed B&B that's built on top of a homeowner exemption, which part is the "fair share" and who did the "cheating"?
I'm sure there are some of those out there. All I know for sure is the people I know that have vacation rentals pay their GET and TAT and every place I've stayed at has charged me for it as well. I hope they are in the minority and I also hope that someone does spot checks on the major booking sites to see that the listed properties are paying a reasonable amount in taxes. I pay GET for my cottage (that's rented long term for the foreseeable future) and charge what I think is a very reasonable rent. Then again, I'm a compulsive rule follower, so I may not be representative of the norm.
Just call me Mike
I have frequently been offered a "kamaaina discount" that just happened to match the GET and TAT when shopping for vacation rentals.
This article and its (comments) brings up some good points regarding this love or hate the tourism-t. Much like the observatories who employ very few actual locals, the tourism industry and its (immigrant workers) has been flourishing for decades now. When will the local residents who are hopefully working the tourism industry too, be able to afford buying land or homes? Not only island police, fire, county, its tourists, and state workers be able to afford to buy or build,jmo.
http://www.senatorlaurathielen.com/what-...in-hawaii/
Does Hawaii have an end game to this tourism industry?
Could someone be so kind and try to explain the TAT tax? Pahoated brought up this TAT, The 3 million back to Hawaii island from the 34 million generated just doesn't seem like the return is worth the loss of aloha involved with charging it to begin with,jmo. Also just because Puna county does not see the same number in tourists as kona , Maui, or Waikiki doesn't mean the county is not feeling the effects. For example, when folks no longer can find or afford a place around these more tourist populated places they tend to move out to places like Ka'u and puna.
Also with puna not having a resort or hotel adds stress to our residential neighborhoods limited resources, infrastructure, and environment. It brings prices up for everyone else looking to rent the already limited affordable homes, Which Puna's home rental prices are not that far off from places like waikiki as it is,jmo.
Maybe this very recent article that shows a recent tourism study can better explain some of my concerns.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/opinion/553...artslide=1
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"Much like the observatories who employ very few actual locals, the tourism industry and its (immigrant workers) has been flourishing for decades now. When will the local residents who are hopefully working the tourism industry too, be able to afford buying land or homes? Not only island police, fire, county, its tourists, and state workers be able to afford to buy or build,jmo."
This is like one of those soused winos ranting at passers by you see in most cities. A long way from reality, incoherent and lacking in actual facts.
Just my opinion of course.
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