hosting foreign students

B

Bolter

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Hi

two issues :

I contacted a local university that has a language school, re hosting foreign students. They gave me a form which seeks among other details my bank account. Thats for eft.

They also want me to supply my pps number!

Why would they look for that?

second re: tax

I understand that a short term let is guest accommodation so I would have to pay tax.

what length is minimum for a long term let does anyone know- to qualify for rent a room relief?The college said most students stay for between 2-6 weeks but occasionally stay for 4-6 months.

Finally if it is guest accommodation, what sort of tax expenses could one claim and how does it affect the ppr exemption for cgt?
 
We host students and they usually stay for the school year, this definitely qualifies for rent-a-room:

The relief applies only to residential tenancies, not to short-term guest arrangements. The occupants must be using the room on a long-term basis. For example, renting a room to a student for the academic year is covered, but taking in guests for short breaks is not.
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you'd need to talk to Revenue as to what they regard as "short-term" with regards to language students. Whilst 6 weeks is a short period, there is a difference between hosting students on a full-board basis (which could be regarded as "residential") and letting out rooms via AirBnB.
 
Just saw this
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That makes it very unattractive!
I'd love to know at what stage guest accommodation turns into residential accommodation is it a month? 6 months?
 
I did summer students for several years and I certainly never reported it for tax (and bah humbug to anyone who says I should have); no wonder they can't get host families anymore...
 
From what friends tell me it's quite a lot of work hosting a student. If that's taxed at higher rate it's definitely not worth my while. isn't it entirely possible that the college could give all eft details to revenue as happened with airbnb?
I'm 100% tax compliant and want to stay that way. This now looks like way too much hassle. It will make it very hard for the colleges to fill places I think.
 
the Revenue's own leaflet specifically mentions students as an example that does qualify for the relief, and personally I don't see how hosting a student for 6 weeks is any different to hosting for 6 months. Definitely worth talking to Revenue to clarify it - the Indo is not the source of all knowledge.
 
That would be much better so! Do you have a link as I couldn't find it on revenue website?
 
Just to add- I know relief applies for student who stays for academic year but what about student who stays for say six weeks eg on exchange programme
 
Not the question asked . . . but many years ago when we were trying to get back on our feet after having four children, two mentions in Stubbs and Mrs Lep being out of the workplace (voluntarily back then before the Parental Leaves, Maternity Leaves, etc) we became a host family for foreign students learning English. If you are prepared to have your privacy thrown to the winds it is not a bad option to earn a few bob. You won't arrive in the Millionaire Club, but the money will keep you buoyant and God help any taxman who would show up at Mrs Lep's door.
 
This is an open and shut case. Revenue have publicly stated that hosting a student qualifies (subject to the normal threshold etc). No need whatsoever to contact Revenue.
 
Could u Give me link to where revenue say that as all I can see is exemption for students for academic year.
E="Gordon Gekko, post: 1458755, member: 89634"]This is an open and shut case. Revenue have publicly stated that hosting a student qualifies (subject to the normal threshold etc). No need whatsoever to contact Revenue.[/QUOTE]
Coulf
 
Could u Give me link to where revenue say that as all I can see is exemption for students for academic year? I'm looking at a situation where a student would only stay a few weeks
 
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as you say, it does say specifically an academic year, this is why I suggest contacting them for clarification. IMO if you're hosting students on behalf of a recognised language school, I don't see what difference it makes whether its the same student for a year or several different students for shorter periods. The distinction is between hosting students, and letting out rooms like a BnB where the latter is not covered by the relief.
 
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