CHARLESTON, S.C. — More than a dozen South Carolina communities have reached a $60 million settlement in their lawsuit against Airbnb, Vrbo and other short-term rental companies.
Documents attached in Monday’s North Myrtle Beach City Council agenda show 15 South Carolina communities listed as settlement recipients:
- Beaufort County
- Charleston
- Charleston County
- Columbia
- Edisto Island
- Folly Beach
- Greenville
- Hilton Head Island
- Horry County
- Isle of Palms
- Mount Pleasant
- Myrtle Beach
- North Myrtle Beach
- Port Royal
- Surfside Beach
The lawsuit was filed on April 9, 2021, in Charleston County Common Pleas Court. It was initiated by some of the state’s biggest tourist destinations, including Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island.
The municipalities argued several short-term rental companies failed to pay obligatory local and business licensing taxes.
“Defendants have willfully and knowingly used and employed unfair and deceptive schemes, methods, acts and practices to avoid the collection and remittance of A-Taxes on the rental payments and their fees required of them pursuant to Plaintiffs’ A-Tax Ordinances,” the lawsuit reads. “This deliberate avoidance of responsibility has resulted in substantial actual damages to each and all Plaintiffs through lost tax revenues.”
It is unclear how much each municipality will receive in the settlement. However, the deal will officially become final once all listed recipients sign off.
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