Short-Term Rentals (STR)

Every person (entity) owning, operating, managing, or controlling an STR in zoning districts where STR use is allowed, within the City of Fort Worth (City), shall collect Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) in the amount of 9% of room receipts from their guests, report the collections, and pay the tax to the City unless an exemption applies. The City of Fort Worth hotel occupancy tax rate includes a 7% hotel tax and 2% hotel convention tax paid by the occupant.

The Code Compliance Department is responsible for investigating complaints and issuing warnings or citations for STR violations

In our continued effort to enhance service efficiency for our lodging community, we're excited to introduce our collaboration with Localgov. This service facilitates secure and convenient online filings and payments. Localgov will simplify your Hotel Occupancy Tax payments and registration process, enabling you to manage your obligations effortlessly, from the comfort of your home or business.

Starting January 5, 2024, Fort Worth taxpayers are required to use Localgov to register properties and submit Hotel Occupancy Tax filings and payments. Short-term rentals are required to submit an annual Hotel Occupancy Tax Registration form.

All filings, beginning with the December 2023 liability period, will be submitted on Localgov starting January 5, 2024.

Helpful Resources to Get Started:

• Set up your online account here: https://tax.localgov.org/login. It takes just a few minutes to get started, set up payments, and get current with your taxes. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Localgov Customer Service at (877) 842-3037 or service@localgov.org.
• Schedule a meeting with Localgov Customer Service and they will walk you through how to register and submit your first filing: https://www.localgov.org/training.
• Bookmark the Localgov Help Center: service.localgov.org/knowledge

Hotel Registration

• Hotels need to submit a one-time registration application to the city via Localgov.
• Once obtained, the Hotel registration remains valid indefinitely unless there is a change in ownership or revoked by the City.
• No annual renewal is required.
• There is no registration fee for hotel registrations.

Short-Term Rental (STR) Registration

• STRs must submit a registration application to the city annually to maintain a valid registration.
• Registration and renewals can be conveniently completed online via Localgov.
• The fee for the first-time application is $150, with an annual renewal fee of $100.
• STRs are required to upload a PDF of their Zoning Confirmation showing a “success” message as part of their registration application on Localgov.

• Tax Rates, Interest, and Penalties: The hotel occupancy tax rate is 9% of the consideration paid by the occupant for a room or space costing $2 or more per day. Late penalties of 15% of the total tax owed will be assessed if the tax is not remitted, and/or the required report is not filed by the 25th day of the month following the monthly collection/reporting period. Delinquent taxes will accrue interest at a rate of 10% per annum for each month the taxes remain unpaid.
• Monthly Filing Deadline: Hotel Occupancy Tax filing and payment must be submitted on Localgov by the 25th day of the month following the monthly collection/reporting period. If the 25th day falls on a non-business day, the next business day becomes the new deadline.
• Zero Dollar Filing Requirement: Tax filings are required to be submitted on Localgov for every filing period even if there is a $0 tax return.