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Tourist
Tax Tipline - Report potential tourist tax evaders anonymously |
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5/1/2007 the tourist tax rate increased to 4%. This is in addition to the 7% state sales tax paid to the Florida Department of Revenue. |
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General Information |
Forms | |||
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TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX REPORTS |
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Current Collection Reports (Collections as of 6/30/2008) |
Publications | |||
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| The tourist development tax is a 4% (effective 5/1/07) charge on the revenue from rentals of six months or less. This tax is in addition to the state sales tax (7% in Sarasota County). The state sales tax is sent to the Florida Department of Revenue. The 4% tourist development tax is sent to the Sarasota County Tax Collector | ||||
| What is a taxable rental? | ||||
| What is a transient accommodation? | ||||
| The greatest percentage of revenue is used for beach maintenance, preservation, restoration, erosion control and capital improvements. Funds are also used to advertise and promote tourism in Sarasota County as well as funding grants for cultural and fine arts entertainment, festivals, programs and activities which promote Sarasota County tourism. For more information contact Sarasota County Fiscal Planning and Budget office at (941) 861-5294. | ||||
| First, you must register. A registration form can be obtained from the Sarasota County Tax Collector. An application must also be obtained from the Florida Department of Revenue for the collection of state sales tax. The Department of Revenue can be contacted at 1-800-FLA-DOR1 (1-800-352-3671) or locally at 361-6001. | ||||
| Registration Information | ||||
| The tourist development tax is due
to the Tax Collector’s office by the 20th day of the month following the
collection. If the postmark is the 21st day of the month or after,
delinquent interest and penalties must be added. The reporting month is
the month in which the rent is collected. |
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| Any person who rents or leases any accommodation for six months or less must pay 11% (state sales tax and tourist development tax) on the rent payment. This tax applies to hotels, motels, apartment buildings, single or multi-family dwellings, mobile home parks, condominiums and vessels. | ||||
| What Happens if the Renter Doesn't Pay the Tax? | ||||
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Anyone who has entered into a bona fide written lease in excess of six months is exempt from sales tax and tourist development tax on the lease payments. If there is no written agreement, the owner is required to collect and remit the state sales tax and tourist development tax for the first six months. The seventh month and every month thereafter will be exempt provided the renter continues to reside at the same location. Anyone who is exempt from paying state sales tax is also exempt from the tourist development tax. These exemptions include full-time students, active duty military personnel, churches and non-profit organizations that have a sales tax exemption number from the Florida Department of Revenue. Contact the Tax Collector’s Office for further information. |
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| What is a bona fide written lease? | ||||
| Owners are entitled to keep 2.5% of the tourist tax collected (maximum of $30.00) as compensation for this service. This collection allowance is subtracted from the tax on the return form - only the difference is paid to the tax collector’s office. | ||||
| If the return and payment are not postmarked by the 20th of the month following the reporting period, the collection allowance is forfeited. In addition, penalty and interest are assessed. The penalty is 10% of the tax due for each delinquent month or fraction of a month. The minimum penalty is $50. The interest rate is variable. You will need to contact our office at (941) 861-8383 for instructions. | ||||
| Any business dealing in guest/tenant/ transient accommodations is responsible for collecting and remitting this tax and for maintaining records such as guest checks, general ledgers, tax payments and federal income tax returns. All tourist development tax records must be kept for five years and made available for audit at the place of business. Any records located outside the county must be returned to the audit site prior to an audit. | ||||
| What about records maintained outside Sarasota County? | ||||
| How long do I have to keep the records? | ||||
| Are my tax records confidential? | ||||
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Tangible Personal Property Tax
In addition to collecting the 4% (effective 5/1/07) tourist tax and the 7% state sales tax, an owner is required to pay tangible personal property taxes annually on the value of the rental furnishings. A return is filed each year with the Property Appraiser’s Office declaring the value of the furnishings and appliances. Any questions about filing a tangible tax return can be directed to the Property Appraiser’s Office at (941) 861-8200. The tangible tax bills are mailed each year in November at the same time as the real estate tax bills. * Local Business Tax - formerly known as Occupational License (click here for more information)If a rental unit is available for rent for one month or less at a time, the owner is required to pay a Local Business Tax (formerly known as an Occupational License) at the Tax Collector’s Office. The tax for a rental unit is $1.57 per sleeping room, with a minimum of $15.75. Registration for the Local Business Tax is available at the Tax Collector’s office. If your property is located in the city limits, you may also need a city occupational license. Contact your city hall for more information.
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| If you sell or no longer rent property, please notify the Tax Collector and the Property Appraiser immediately. | ||||