California is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. With its beautiful beaches, stunning national parks, world-renowned landmarks, and vibrant cities, it’s no surprise that millions of visitors flock to the Golden State every year. However, along with the joys of tourism comes the question of taxes and fees.
What is CA Tourism Fee
The California Tourism Fee is a mandatory fee that is applied to all hotel and lodging charges in California. The fee was established in 2018 by Senate Bill 1296 and requires hotels to collect an additional fee from guests that will be used for promoting tourism in California.
Is it a Tax
The debate on whether or not the California Tourism Fee is a tax has been ongoing since its inception. The primary argument against it being considered a tax is that it is not imposed by the government but rather by private businesses. Although the State of California oversees the collection of this fee, it does not receive any revenue from it.
On the other hand, opponents argue that this fee can be considered a tax because it is mandatory and goes towards funding public services such as tourism promotion. Additionally, guests are not given an option to opt-out of paying this fee when booking their lodging.
Similarities with Taxes
- Mandatory: Just like taxes, CA Tourism Fee is mandatory for all visitors who book lodging in California.
- Collections: Hotels are responsible for collecting this fee from their guests and remitting them to state authorities regularly just like taxes.
- Funding Public Services: The funds collected from this fee are used for promoting tourism in California which can be compared to how taxes finance public services.
Differences from Taxes
- Collected by Private Businesses: The fee is collected by private businesses and not by the government, which is a significant difference from taxes.
- No Government Revenue: The State of California does not receive any revenue from this fee, unlike taxes that contribute to government revenue.
- No Option to Opt-out: Guests do not have an option to opt-out of paying this fee when booking their lodging, which is different from taxes where taxpayers can choose to reduce their tax liability through tax planning.
The Bottom Line:
While the debate on whether or not the California Tourism Fee is a tax continues, the fact remains that it is mandatory for all visitors who book lodging in California. Whether or not it is considered a tax, it funds public services and promotes tourism in the state. The important thing for tourists to remember is that this fee will be included in their hotel charges, so they should budget accordingly when planning their trip to California.