Airbnb has filed suit against the city and county of San Francisco, saying they have improperly pocketed nearly $921,000 in taxes Airbnb overpaid in 2019.
Airbnb filed the lawsuit on Feb. 23 in San Francisco County Circuit Court, against the city government and Treasurer and Tax Collector José Cisneros.
According to the claim, Airbnb paid the city and county of San Francisco to cover amounts owed under the local Gross Receipts Tax, Homelessness Gross Receipts Tax and Payroll Expense Tax. The company said data it obtained after those payments revealed it had overstated the amount owed to San Francisco under those three taxes by a combined $920,700.
The company said it petitioned the city and county for a refund, but was denied.
Airbnb is now asking the court to order the refund, plus interest and attorney fees.
Airbnb is represented by attorneys Amy L. Silverstein, Adam Hooberman and Matthew Wong, of Silverstein & Pomerantz LLP, of San Francisco.