Canadian hosts and guests help generate nearly $360M in tax revenue

Canadian hosts play a vital role in local economies, welcoming millions of guests, helping big cities and small communities benefit from big events, and dispersing travel outside of traditional tourism hubs. Critically, hosts and the guests they welcome support Canadian communities by generating an influx of tourism taxes for local governments at a time when jurisdictions face budget shortfalls.

Last year, Canadian hosts on Airbnb contributed significantly to local and federal revenues, with nearly $360 million in taxes collected and remitted across the country. This includes approximately $171 million in federal GST/HST/QST—demonstrating how everyday Canadian hosts are supporting critical government services and local infrastructure. Jurisdictions leverage these tax dollars to fund a range of priorities—from destination marketing that supports Canada’s vibrant tourism sector to the programs and services travellers rely on when visiting, including road infrastructure, parks, and recreation.

The Canadian tax figure is part of more than $17.3 billion USD in taxes collected and remitted on behalf of hosts through Airbnb since 2014, globally, highlighting the platform’s growing contribution to local governments around the world.

As part of ongoing collaboration with governments across Canada, Airbnb simplifies tax compliance by collecting and remitting relevant taxes directly on behalf of hosts. This helps ensure steady, reliable revenue for communities at a time when jurisdictions are facing budget shortfalls.

Below is a snapshot of local taxes collected and remitted on behalf of Canadian hosts in 2025 in jurisdictions across the country:

• Alberta: $15.5M (Alberta Tourism Levy)
• British Columbia: $94.7M (PST and MRDT)
• Manitoba: $3M (RST)
• Nova Scotia:
  • Halifax: $1.1M
• Ontario (total for all cities where Airbnb collects tax): $23M, including:
  • Toronto: $17.8M (MAT and Nightly Fee)
  • Mississauga: $1.7M (MAT)
• Québec: $20.6M (Lodging Tax)
• Saskatchewan: $1.5M (PST)

Supporting sensible tax policy for short-term rentals

Airbnb has long championed tax solutions that simplify compliance and boost public revenue. What began with Voluntary Collection Agreements has evolved into close collaboration with lawmakers to pass centralized tax collection laws such as those now in place in British Columbia and Québec.

These laws ensure that all short-term rental platforms collect and remit relevant taxes at scale, including sales taxes, tourism taxes, and local gross receipts taxes. The result is a streamlined process for hosts and governments alike, while leveling the playing field across the short-term rental sector.

As domestic travel continues to grow, bringing more first-time guests to small towns and rural communities, this tax revenue plays a vital role in addressing government deficits and bolstering local economies.