The Flagler’s Tourist Development Council is spearheading an effort to make sure landlords who rent homes or condominiums on a short-term basis, defined as less than six months, pay the 4 percent tourist development tax. Although the tax is normally thought of as a bed tax paid by hotels, it also applies to the short-term rentals of single-family homes and condominiums.
“A great deal of vacation rentals are located within Flagler County, from single-family homes to condo units,” Flagler County Attorney Al Hadeed said. “Due to legislative changes about two years ago, now single-family homes and condo units held out for short-term rentals, that’s shorter than six months, are to be registered with the Department of Professional Regulation. We wanted to make sure all these units are paying the tourist development tax.”
A public records request submitted to the state uncovered approximately 500 listings in the county. However, and in what has proved to be a recipe for evasion, the number of properties is far higher because up to 75 properties can be placed under a single listing. Another complication: the licenses are listed in a region that includes Nassau, Clay and Duval counties.”
Two follow-up actions have been taken with the list of short-term rental properties. A copy has been submitted to the Flagler County Property Appraiser’s Office to “make sure there isn’t any improper claiming of homestead exemptions out of fairness to other taxpayers who legitimately enjoy those tax exceptions.” Also, the listing has been submitted to the Florida Department of Revenue, “for them to review this data and make sure all those units are paying the tourism development tax,” Hadeed told the Flagler County Tourist Development Council earlier this week.
Hadeed also updated the council on efforts to crack down on other tax scofflaws–the multi-billion-dollar travel companies that have been avoiding paying the state’s and county taxes.
“Priceline, Expedia and Hotels.com, those types of sites, are nto remitting the tourist development tax and not remitting the state sales tax,” Hadeed said in a morning presentation to the tourism council, which began pursuing the unpaid taxes in 2009.
Nate McLaughlin, Tourst Development Council chairman, asked if the on-line companies are collecting the tax, but not turning it over to local governments.
“They would tell you right now, no they’re not,” said Hadeed, who added a “however” that bills from on-line travel companies include a lump sum line item for services and taxes. “They have not broken that out,” as to what taxes are being collected, Hadeed said. “They are collecting that money that they potentially owe in tax liabilities all over the United States.”
Flagler County joined other counties in a lawsuit against the on-line companies. But so far the effort has faced more setbacks than successes. “We are proceeding with litigation. We’ve been fighting this battle for four years,” Hadeed said, and after knocking on the wood of the podium, added, “We’ve been able to defeat in the Legislature an attempt by the on-line travel companies to get an exemption from the tax while they’re refusing to pay the tax.”
Significant public dollars are at stake, not only potentially from the tourist development tax for stays in Flagler County hotels, but also for sales taxes. Flagler County, local cities and the school district all receive a share of state sales taxes. “It’s very easy for people to think of this argument as government just trying to get more money,” Hadeed said. “In a way, that’s true. What we’re trying to do is get money that’s owed us.”
An industry group, Associated Industries of Florida, has supported efforts to collect taxes owed localities by the on-line travel companies. Hadeed said it would be unfair to local hoteliers who make an investment in bricks and mortar in Flagler County to be charged the tax and give on-line companies an exemption.
“It’s all about a competitive edge,” McLaughlin said. “I think they see themselves as you can get it cheaper on line, why book a hotel?”
Florida’s county governments are leading the fight to get tourist development tax dollars from the on-line companies. It’s a tough battle because the on-line companies have deep pockets. Priceline alone has a capitalization of $30 billion. “They’re just custodians of fees for the government,” Hadeed said. “On-line travel companies argue that it’s a tax against them. Well no, it’s a tax on the activity.”
TaxMan says
I know…Lets TAX all the bicycles and joggers ! We can spend a million dollars and put little TOLL BOOTHS along the hiking paths and at the ends of Flagler county’s A1A. Then when the bikers come in we can TAX their leather outfits and boots. Not to mention if anyone has a beard, you can have a facial hair TAX.
John Boy says
The County is not really serious about eliminating tax fraud. I’ve notified the County on two properties on my own street that are abusing the Homestead Tax.. Both are waterfront properties and according to the Appraises website still shows the exemption even though this was reported over six months ago.
Brighton Beach says
Let’s add an extra tax to toilet paper, and for kicks and giggles; why not levy a special tax
for flushing the toilet? We’ll call it a “lax-tax.”
First let’s create a tax-tax, we can tax taxes.
Tax tax tax. I know who they should tax. -Their primogenitors. :>
Magnolia says
How much is being spent taking this issue to court? Likely more than the revenue we are taking in. I’ll bet we could save a bundle by cutting Hadeed’s salary, or at the very least taxing it a bit more.
The day these online booking agencies have to pay local taxes to each city is the day they will stop sending us business. That’s the way that works.
Jim Wingo says
Now that is Funny!
glad fly says
tax tax tax,arrogant city commission,tax tax tax tax tax tax,red light cameras,tax tax tax ,high water bills,tax tax tax tax tax…..
Legally says
They are spending like Democrats, now they are gonna tax and fee us like Democrats. It’s no longer inexpensive to live in Florida.
Brighton Beach says
“Let me tell you how it will be
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don’t take it all
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman
If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat.
If you get too cold I’ll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet.
Don’t ask me what I want it for
If you don’t want to pay some more
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
And you’re working for no one but me.”
–The Beatles (George Harrison) Taxman
john C says
If the homeowner or condo unit owner already pays taxes on their property then why would they need to be double taxed and pay this additional 4 % ?Are they not bringing in tourists who will spend their $$$$$ locally ? Just another example of these pinheads taxing the hexx out of citizens because they cant meet their budgets or pay for their annual salary increases…..scrambling for dough – tax the citizens somehow—— thats always been the easiest solution ……
I have an idea ….attract businesses to the area who will pay taxes , they will hire hire people to work in their establishments and they will pay taxes ………RaDiCaL concept I know ……..nah lets stick with whats easiest and tax the hexx out of the locals instead …………..