Vacation rentals and Airbnb properties are subject to tourist development tax in the State of Florida. Tourist Development Taxes are to be paid on all short-term rental income. Short-term income is defined as individual bookings of less than six months. File these monthly to the Tax Collector in your county. They are due by the first of the month. After the 20th, late penalties are effective.
If you have a property management company, they will usually collect these taxes for you. If you receive income in your country, you will need to collect and report the Tourist Development Tax (TDT) you have collected through your property management company or as a taxpayer. You can apply for a tax account directly with your county tax collector. Or you can hire a tax professional who can help you navigate the licensing, tourist tax application, and filing process.
Filing Deadline for Tourist Development Tax
Unless otherwise advised, Tourist Development Tax Returns should be completed monthly and submitted to the Tax Collector’s Office along with your tax payment by the 20th of the month following the reporting month. Thus rental income received during July should be reported and tax paid by 20th August. A $50 penalty is payable for any late filing (even where there was no income received) and interest is calculated on any late tax payment.
Please note– the information and filing deadlines provided are specific to the State of Florida. Contact us to find your specific tax rate and information regarding filing and payment deadlines.
Florida Tourist Development Tax Rates
For both owner bookings and bookings taken through Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway you must file and pay taxes. The rental income that you collect on your own bookings is subject to both Sales & Use Tax and Tourist Development Tax.
The Florida state tax rate is 6% plus a discretionary rate applied per county. The current rates of tax are for Lake, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, & Polk county are as follows:
Sales and Use Tax |
Tourist Development Tax |
Combined |
|
Lake County |
7% |
4% |
11% |
Osceola County |
7.5% |
6% |
13.5% |
Polk County |
7% |
5% |
12% |
Orange County |
6.5% |
6% |
12.5% |
Monroe County |
7.5% |
5% |
12.5% |
How to File a Tourist Development Tax Return in Florida
The links provided here will allow you to file your tourist development tax return for your county.