Airbnb wants to be taxed. Really

It's almost Alice through the Looking Glass. An emerging industry leader that legally operates tax-free is asking - no, imploring - lawmakers to slap a levy on its business. That's exactly what Airbnb, the web-based app that pairs up travelers with people looking to cash in on a spare room or three in their private homes, is asking the Massachusetts Legislature to do. Will Burns, the director of policy for Airbnb, says it's a matter of fundamental fairness, but taking off his corporate hat, he admits the effort is to legitimize the technology as an accepted commercial entity.