EU Court dismisses Airbnb’s appeal over Belgian tax information

BRUSSELS, April 27 (Reuters) – Europe’s top court on Wednesday dismissed a complaint by accommodation services company Airbnb Ireland against Belgian regional legislation requiring it to provide information to tax authorities on tourism transactions.

The Court of Justice of the European Communities (CJEU) ruled that requiring providers of real estate intermediation services and, in particular, operators of an electronic accommodation platform, to transmit to the tax administration certain details of transactions tourism was not contrary to European Union law.

Airbnb (ABNB.O) argued that the requirement infringed the principle of freedom to provide services.

In a statement, Airbnb took note of the decision and said the case would now return to the Belgian Constitutional Court.

The CJEU said in a statement that the ruling concluded that – because it was of a tax nature – the requirement was excluded from the scope of the EU e-commerce directive.

Many European cities have pushed for tougher rules on Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms, fearing they will drive up property prices and encourage landlords to stay short-term instead. only to take long-term tenants.

Reporting by John Chalmers; additional reporting by Foo Yun Chee and Josephine Mason; edited by Robin Emmott and Louise Heavens

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