Hotel Occupancy Tax Calculator
Hotel occupancy taxes (also called lodging or room taxes) are levied on the rental of short-term accommodations and can add 10% to 20% or more to your hotel bill in high-tax cities. The tax is calculated on the nightly room rate before any resort fees or other charges, though some jurisdictions also tax those add-ons. Enter your nightly room rate, the combined lodging tax rate for your destination, and the number of nights to see the total tax owed and your complete bill.
Hotel occupancy tax formula
Room Subtotal = Nightly Rate x Nights
Total Tax = Room Subtotal x (Rate / 100)
Total Bill = Room Subtotal + Total Tax
The lodging tax is applied to the total room charges before taxes. Some destinations add a flat per-night fee (such as a tourism district fee) in addition to the percentage rate; this calculator applies only the percentage rate. Check your confirmation for any flat fees.
Where to find your destination's hotel tax rate
The most authoritative source is your state's Department of Revenue or the city's finance department. Many state tourism offices publish lodging tax rate tables. Your hotel booking confirmation should also show the tax rate applied; compare it to the official rate for accuracy.
Hotel occupancy tax FAQ
What is hotel occupancy tax?
Hotel occupancy tax (also called lodging tax, room tax, or transient occupancy tax) is levied by state, county, and city governments on the rental of hotel rooms, motels, vacation rentals, and similar short-term accommodations. The combined rate is applied to the room rate and is included in your hotel bill.
How are hotel taxes different from sales tax?
Many jurisdictions levy both sales tax and a separate occupancy tax on hotel stays. The combined effective rate can be significantly higher than the general sales tax rate. Some states have high occupation taxes specifically to fund tourism promotion or convention centers.
Do hotel taxes apply to Airbnb and VRBO rentals?
Yes. Following changes in state and local laws, most major platforms like Airbnb and VRBO now automatically collect and remit occupancy taxes for stays in many jurisdictions. In some areas, hosts are still responsible for collecting and remitting the tax themselves. Check with your state or local tax authority.
What are the highest hotel tax rates in the US?
Combined hotel tax rates (state plus local) vary widely. Chicago, Columbus, Kansas City, and Houston are known for combined hotel tax rates above 15%. The rate is the sum of the state hotel tax, county tax, city tax, and any special district taxes (such as convention center or stadium taxes).
Are any hotel stays exempt from occupancy tax?
Some states exempt stays of 30 days or more (the guest is considered a tenant rather than a transient). Federal government employees on official travel may be exempt in some states. Some states exempt non-profit organizations. Check with the state's Department of Revenue for exemptions.
Official sources
- Texas Comptroller Hotel Occupancy Tax: Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax.
- California CDTFA Transient Occupancy Tax information: CDTFA.ca.gov.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.