Arlington vs Fort Worth
How do transient occupancy tax rules compare between Arlington, TX and Fort Worth, TX?
Arlington and Fort Worth have similar restriction levels.
Arlington, TX
Tarrant County
Arlington imposes a 9% city Hotel Occupancy Tax on rooms costing $2 or more per day, stacked on top of the 6% Texas state HOT for a combined 15% rate, one of the higher hotel taxes in Texas.
View full Arlington rules →Fort Worth, TX
Tarrant County
Hotel and short-term rental operators in Fort Worth must register with Fort Worth Finance and the Texas Comptroller, collect the city's 9 percent Hotel Occupancy Tax plus the 6 percent state HOT, file periodic returns, retain records for four years, and prepare for revenue audits.
View full Fort Worth rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| City HOT rate | 9 percent | - |
| State HOT rate | 6 percent | - |
| Combined rate | 15 percent | - |
| Threshold | Rooms $2/day or more | - |
| Filing | Monthly remittance | - |
| City HOT | - | 9 percent |
| State HOT | - | 6 percent |
| Filing cadence | - | Monthly typical |
| Records retention | - | Four years |
| Tourism funding | - | Visit Fort Worth, convention center |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington FAQ
Why is Arlington's hotel tax so high?
Arlington uses HOT revenue to pay debt on AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, plus fund Visit Arlington tourism marketing and the convention center. The 9% city rate is among the highest authorized in Texas.
Do short-term rentals owe HOT?
Yes. Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar rentals under 30 days are hotels under Texas law and owe both city and state HOT. Some platforms collect automatically; hosts should verify their filings.
Fort Worth FAQ
Does a Fort Worth bed-and-breakfast or boutique inn collect HOT?
Yes. Any lodging renting rooms for under 30 consecutive days collects both the 6 percent state HOT and 9 percent city HOT, regardless of size. Registration with Fort Worth Finance and the Comptroller is mandatory.
How often must Fort Worth hotel operators file HOT returns?
Most operators file monthly with both Fort Worth Finance and the Texas Comptroller. Smaller properties may qualify for quarterly state filings, but city filings and four-year recordkeeping remain required.
Compare other topics
See how Arlington and Fort Worth compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool