Senior Principal, Tax Controversy

About the Company

Airbnb began in 2007 when two hosts opened their San Francisco home to three guests. Since then, the platform has expanded to more than 5 million hosts and over 2 billion guest arrivals across nearly every country in the world. The company focuses on helping people experience stays and activities that build more authentic connections with local communities.

The Team

The Tax Controversy function owns Airbnb’s worldwide audit approach. The team sets the direction for global tax disputes, coordinates responses to tax authorities around the world, and works closely with tax, legal, and policy partners on audit and litigation matters. The role offers exposure to complex, high-stakes tax disputes and a strong emphasis on EMEA issues, while partnering with the Dublin tax group, outside advisors, and internal stakeholders across the business.

What You’ll Do

You will help drive strong outcomes in tax audits and litigation, with particular focus on EMEA matters. The position involves building and managing dispute responses, understanding the underlying facts in depth, and helping shape audit and litigation strategy.

You will also work across teams to keep the business informed about audit exposure and related concerns, while helping reinforce the company’s tax positions as matters are reviewed and challenged.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate tax audit and litigation work across the Tax team, external advisors, and internal partners such as Legal and Policy.
• Co-lead major EMEA tax litigation matters, including administrative appeals and proceedings before tax authorities and courts, while handling discovery, legal strategy, and key deadlines.
• Serve as a primary contact for external counsel, public officials, and regulators involved in EMEA tax disputes.
• Provide guidance on local litigation risk, privilege considerations, and compliance requirements in the EMEA tax landscape.
• Work with US, EMEA, and global tax, legal, and policy groups to maintain aligned messaging and strategy.
• Assess the trade-offs between different audit approaches, dispute forums, tax administration processes, litigation strategies, tax risks, and business priorities.
• Draft responses to tax authority requests by gathering data, researching company facts, and analyzing technical tax questions.

Requirements

• A law degree plus at least 10 years of experience centered on tax audits and litigation.
• Proven background leading tax audits and tax litigation matters.
• Strong English communication skills; knowledge of French, Italian, and/or Spanish is an advantage.
• Solid understanding of tax litigation and related resolution processes across major EMEA jurisdictions.
• Strong tax foundation with the ability to quickly master complex new issues and stay updated on tax law changes.
• Excellent organization and attention to detail when preparing precise, persuasive submissions to tax authorities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment while balancing multiple deadlines and controversy matters across jurisdictions and stages of review.
• Experience with common EMEA corporate tax dispute areas, including transfer pricing, data production, withholding tax, and VAT.

Inclusion & Belonging

Airbnb encourages applications from a wide range of candidates and values diverse perspectives as a driver of innovation and stronger products and services.

Compensation & Benefits

The base pay is annualized and may vary depending on training, transferable skills, experience, business needs, and market conditions. The role may also qualify for bonus, equity, benefits, and Employee Travel Credits.

• Ireland annual base pay: €156,000 to €195,000
• Spain annual base pay: €120,000 to €150,000
• United Kingdom annual base pay: £136,000 to £170,000