Tourist tax: are we obliged to collect it?

Being a host of a tourist dwelling has many advantages, but we won't deny that it can sometimes be a bit cumbersome. For example, in some cities you'll have to deal with… the dreaded tourist tax! But don't worry, we'll explain how it works so you can settle it easily.

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What is the tourist tax?

It's a tax, nothing more, nothing less. It is the amount that each tourist has to pay for an overnight stay in a city.

However, we have the consolation of knowing that the money collected will be used to adopt measures for the preservation and conservation of the city, its heritage, its infrastructure, etc. (or so they tell us).

The truth is that if you are a host, this is of interest, as the better preserved your city is, the more attractive it will be to tourists, and that means more bookings for your accommodation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROVsjgEJf7g

Which cities charge this tax?

The Barcelona tourist tax [you can find all the legislation on the Generalitat website] is among the best known, perhaps because it was one of the first Spanish cities to implement it. But it is no longer alone; other localities have joined the trend of taxing tourists. In fact, currently we have a tourist tax in Catalonia and a tourist tax in the Balearic Islands.

Do you have tourist accommodation? Ignorance of the law does not exempt you from complying with it. Take a look at our legislation on tourist dwellings center.

Do I have to collect the tourist tax in my vacation rental apartment?

Yes, you have to. Prices may vary from year to year, but the current ones are as follows:

• In Mallorca, Ibiza, Formentera, and Menorca, a tourist tax is paid, which in vacation residences is €2 per person per night.
• In Barcelona, the tax is €2.25 per person per night.
• In the rest of Catalonia, the tax is €0.90 per person per night. Taking into account that children under 16 do not pay the tax and the limit is 7 days.

How to collect it?

Every six months you have to submit Form 950 to the Tax Agency to settle the tourist tax for visitors your dwelling has received in recent months. The good thing is that nowadays you can do it online and pay by credit card, so it's a quick and simple process. The only thing you should keep in mind is not to miss the declaration deadline.

But to pay the tax, you must first have collected it from your guests. Here are two options:

• Promote your dwelling indicating that the price does not include the tourist tax and collect it once your guests have arrived.
• Advertise your vacation dwelling indicating that the price already includes the tourist tax. This way, the client pays the tax when making their reservation.

Here, technology once again comes to your aid, and you can now find many vacation apartment management platforms or OTAs that help you with the collection and settlement of this tax. This way, you don't have to worry about anything.

As you've seen, the tourist tax is not as complicated to manage as it seems at first glance. Don't be afraid of it!

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