Airbnb agrees to start paying San Francisco’s 14% hotel tax

Of the factors that might go into the “Risk” column if or when Airbnb prepares to IPO, one will certainly appear right at the top: Government. From pesky user information subpoenas from New York City to investigations in Amsterdam, the company has not had the best run with government forces. That makes Airbnb’s latest news all the more noteworthy: Starting this summer, the company will be paying San Francisco’s 14 percent hotel tax. Or, to be more precise, the Airbnb hosts will be paying the tax. It’s the second city in the U.S. where Airbnb has struck such a deal with the government, the first being Portland, announced last week.