Airbnb Tax Deductions Every Host Should Know

Marifil Limpahan
Aug 18
3 min read

The Ultimate Guide to Airbnb Tax Deductions (and How to Maximize Them as a Host)

If you’re earning income from your Airbnb or short-term rental, tax season can feel overwhelming. The good news? You don’t have to leave money on the table. By understanding Airbnb tax deductions, you can lower your taxable income, keep more of your hard-earned cash, and run your business like a pro.

At BNB Guardians, we coach hosts on smart Airbnb strategy, and optimizing your finances is one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle. Let’s break down the top tax deductions you should know about, plus some practical tips for documenting them.

What Exactly Are Airbnb Tax Deductions?

A tax deduction is simply a business expense you subtract from your rental income before calculating taxes. The lower your taxable income, the less you owe.

For Airbnb hosts, deductible expenses cover a wide range of items, everything from cleaning supplies and utilities to property management fees and insurance.

👉 Important: You can only deduct expenses directly tied to your short-term rental business. That family vacation you took at your rental? Not deductible.

The Top Airbnb Tax Deductions Every Host Should Know

Here’s a breakdown of the most common deductions that can help you save:

1. Direct Hosting Costs

These are expenses tied directly to your guest experience.

Advertising & Marketing: Airbnb platform fees, social media ads, or listing promotion costs.
Cleaning & Maintenance: Professional cleaners, lawn care, snow removal, or handyman work.
Guest Supplies: Toiletries, linens, coffee pods, paper products, and other essentials.

2. Property Expenses

If you own your Airbnb, these deductions can be significant.

Mortgage Interest (on the rental property)
Property Taxes
Depreciation (spreading out the cost of the property over time)

3. Utilities

Whether it’s a dedicated rental or a shared home, you can deduct utilities that support your Airbnb.

Electricity, gas, and water
Trash and recycling services
Internet and cable (especially if provided to guests)

4. Insurance Costs

Protecting your property is part of running a business.

Homeowners or landlord insurance
Liability insurance specific to short-term rentals

5. Travel Expenses

If you travel to check on or manage your Airbnb, some costs may be deductible.

Vehicle Expenses: Mileage or actual vehicle costs for trips to your property.
Overnight Stays: Hotels, meals, and transportation if you travel long-distance for property management.
Education & Training: Conferences, Airbnb coaching programs, or property management workshops.

6. Professional Services

Many hosts lean on experts, and those costs count.

Airbnb Management Fees: Whether you use a company like BNB Guardians or software like Guesty to streamline operations, these fees are deductible.
Legal & Accounting Services: Tax prep, bookkeeping, or legal consultations.

7. Home Office Expenses

If you run your Airbnb business from home, you might qualify for deductions here too.

Office supplies (paper, pens, laptop, printer, etc.)
A portion of home expenses (rent, utilities, internet) if you use a dedicated space exclusively for Airbnb work.

8. Guest Amenities & Extras

Going the extra mile for guests? Those costs are deductible too.

Streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ for guest use
Coffee makers, board games, or outdoor furniture
Small repairs (leaky faucet fixes, paint touch-ups)

⚡ Note: Major upgrades like adding a deck or renovating a kitchen usually count as capital improvements and must be depreciated, not deducted all at once.

What’s NOT Deductible

Not every expense qualifies. Some common non-deductibles include:

Personal trips or vacations at your rental
Capital improvements (must depreciate instead)
Costs related to periods of vacancy

How to Stay Organized (and Avoid IRS Headaches)

Here’s what we recommend at BNB Guardians:

Track Expenses Year-Round: Don’t wait until tax season. Use tools (we love Guesty + accounting software) to log everything.
Keep Receipts & Documentation: Whether it’s cleaning invoices or Amazon orders for guest supplies, save proof.
Consult a Pro: A tax accountant who understands short-term rentals can help you maximize deductions.

This isn’t just about surviving tax season, it’s about running your Airbnb like a real business.

Final Thoughts

Taxes don’t have to be scary. When you understand your deductions, you gain control, keep more profit, and build a sustainable Airbnb business.

At BNB Guardians, we teach this step-by-step in our Airbnb coaching program and inside our community, the Airbnb Super Host Academy. If you want to master Airbnb optimization, from Airbnb SEO to Airbnb pricing strategies, and set yourself up for financial freedom, we’re here to guide you.