What Is the Tax Rate for Vacation Rentals in Florida?

By Alice Nichols

If you are looking to rent out your vacation property in Florida, you may be wondering about the tax implications. Vacation rentals are subject to various taxes in Florida, which can vary depending on the location of your property and the length of stay of your guests.

Understanding Sales and Tourist Taxes

In Florida, sales tax is a statewide tax that is added to the price of goods and services sold. The current sales tax rate in Florida is 6%.

Additionally, tourist development taxes, also known as bed taxes or hotel taxes, are levied on lodging establishments such as hotels and vacation rentals. These taxes are collected by local governments to fund tourism-related projects and events.

The tourist development tax rate can vary depending on the county in which your vacation rental is located. For example, in Miami-Dade County, the tourist development tax rate is 7%, while in Orange County (home to Orlando), it is 6%. Some counties also impose an additional local option tourist development tax.

Short-term vs Long-term Rentals

The tax rates for vacation rentals can also depend on how long guests stay at your property. In general, if a guest stays for six months or less, the rental is considered a short-term rental and subject to sales and tourist development taxes. If a guest stays for more than six months, the rental may be considered a long-term rental and exempt from these taxes.

Registering Your Vacation Rental

In order to legally rent out your vacation property in Florida, you must register with the state and obtain a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. This license requires proof of compliance with building codes and safety regulations.

Once registered, you will need to collect sales tax from guests at the time of booking or arrival. You will also need to collect tourist development tax if applicable based on your location. These taxes must be reported and remitted to the state and local governments on a regular basis.

Conclusion

In summary, if you are planning to rent out your vacation property in Florida, it is important to understand the sales and tourist development tax rates that apply in your area. By registering your rental with the state and collecting the appropriate taxes, you can ensure that you are operating legally and contributing to the funding of tourism-related projects in your community.