What is the Tourist Development Tax?
The Tourist Development Tax is a local sales tax, authorized and governed by Florida Statute 125.0104, on transient rentals. Because it applies exclusively to rental of living quarters or accommodations for a term of six months or less, it has been nicknamed the “bed tax.” In Walton County, the Tourist Development Tax rate is 4% and applies to rentals of properties located south of the Intracoastal Waterway. This area includes Hwy. 30-A, Hwy. 98, Emerald Coast Parkway, Scenic Gulf Drive, and all of Walton County’s beaches south of Choctawhatchee Bay. After administrative costs, ¼ of the revenue is used for marketing and promotion, ¼ for beach maintenance and beach access development, ¼ Autumn Tides Fall promotion and New Product Development and ¼ for beach nourishment and restoration. The Tourist Development Council oversees the expenditures of the tax and reports to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners. Managers of rental properties and owners who manage their own rentals a
The tourist development tax is a 2% charge on the revenue from rentals of six months or less. This tax is in addition to the state sales tax (6% in Marion County). The state sales tax is sent to the Florida Department of Revenue. The 2% tourist development is sent to the Marion County Tax Collector.
A. The tourist development tax is a 4% tax on the total rental amount collected from any person or other party who rents, leases, or lets for consideration living quarters or accommodations in hotels, motels, apartment motels, time shares, rooming houses, tourist or trailers camps, mobile homes or condominiums for a period of 6 months or less. According to Florida law (FS125.0104), the renting of such property is a privilege which is subject to taxation, and the requirements and conditions of that taxation are set forth by the State of Florida, as well as various county governments within the state. Tourist Development Tax can also be referred to as the “Bed Tax” or “Resort Tax”.
The Tourist Development Tax is a tax on the total payment received for the rental or lease of living quarters and accommodations in a hotel, motel, rooming house, trailer camp, condominium, apartment, multiple-unit structure, mobile home, trailer, single-family home, or any other sleeping accommodations that are rented for a period of six months or less. The authorization to levy and administer Tourist Development Taxes of up to six percent is stated in Section 125.0104, Florida Statutes, and in Chapter 212, Florida Statutes. HOW MUCH IS THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX? On July 18, 2006, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners increased the Tourist Development Tax rate from five percent (5%) to six percent (6%). The new rate is effective September 1, 2006. HOW IS THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX REVENUE USED? Development Tax is levied by the Board of County Commissioners and is administered by the Orange County Comptroller’s Office. Expenditures for the first four cents are limited by F
