Georgia cities seek a class-action lawsuit over Airbnb taxes

ATLANTA - Four Georgia communities say that Airbnb isn’t paying its fair share of taxes.

In a federal lawsuit filed Friday, the three cities and one county are seeking class-action status to include communities throughout the state as plaintiffs.

They say the allegations in the lawsuit affect more than 100 Georgia counties and hundreds of municipalities.

The suit was filed by lawyers representing Rome, Cartersville, Tybee Island and Hart County. They’re among several Georgia communities with ordinances to collect taxes for short-term rentals.

DOWNLOAD THE FOX 5 ATLANTA APP

It would be up to a judge to decide whether to allow the litigation to proceed as a class-action suit.

San Francisco-based Airbnb did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

But on its website, Airbnb’s lists numerous jurisdictions where the company says it has agreements with governments to collect and pay taxes on behalf of hosts when properties are booked. The list includes every state in the U.S. except Georgia and Hawaii.