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Since January 1, 1992, the tourist development tax has been collected locally by the Tax Collector for Hillsborough County. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners has adopted an ordinance that provides for the local administration, collection and enforcement of the tax. Since October 1995, the tax has been 5%.
Applications must be submitted for each rental property that you own or operate in order to receive a sufficient number of tax return forms. Realty agents may submit one application and a list of properties managed.
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the tourist development tax. Back to Tourist Development Tax Main Page
WHO COLLECTS THIS TAX FROM THE TOURIST? All owners and operators of living quarters and accommodations in a hotel, apartment-hotel, motel, resort motel, apartment-motel, rooming house, tourist or travel camp, condominium, cooperatively-owned apartment, mobile home, trailer, single or multiple-unit dwelling, beach house, cottage or any other sleeping accommodation THAT IS RENTED FOR SIX MONTHS OR LESS are subject to the tax on transient rentals which must be collected from tenants or guests and remitted to the Hillsborough County Tax Collector.
WHAT DO OWNERS AND OPERATORS RECEIVE FOR COLLECTING THE TAX? To compensate owners and operators for the collection of taxes from their guests and tenants, owners and operators are entitled to an allowance of 2.5% of the first $1,200 of tax collected ($30.00 maximum), provided the tax is remitted on time.
HOW OFTEN AND WHERE ARE THESE TAXES REMITTED? The tourist development tax is due to the Tax Collector's office by the 20th day of the month following collection. Any payments remitted after the due date are considered delinquent and are subject to interest and penalties. If the 20th falls on a Saturday, Sunday or federal or state legal holiday, the returns are timely if postmarked on the next succeeding workday. Checks should be made payable to: Doug Belden, Tax Collector Mailing Address: Hillsborough County Tax Collector's Office Attn: Tourist Development Dept. 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. 14th Floor Tampa, FL 33602
WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE? Penalties can be costly if the tax payment is not remitted properly and on time. · Collection allowance is forfeited. · A penalty of $50.00 or 10% of the tax due, whichever is greater. · Interest is accrued at a floating rate times the tax due for returns postmarked after the due date. · The charge for a returned check is $25.00.
WHAT RECORDS ARE REQUIRED IN CASE OF AN AUDIT? All Tourist Development Tax records must be retained for five years and made available for audit at the place of business. 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, sales tax payments, Federal income tax returns, etc. Any records located outside the county must be returned to the audit site prior to the audit. For questions regarding audits and retention period of TD tax documents, please contact our office at (813) 635-5227.
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