Taxes & Fees: Austin vs Nashville
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Austin, TX and Nashville, TN?
Austin and Nashville have similar restriction levels.
Austin, TX
Travis County
Austin imposes an 11% Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) on STR stays plus a 6% Texas state HOT. Operators must hold a city operating license: $836.30 new or $385.30 renewal.
View full Austin rules →Nashville, TN
Davidson County
Nashville STR operators pay a $313 annual permit fee plus a Hotel Occupancy Tax of 6–7% on gross rental receipts plus a $2.50/night flat fee. State sales tax of 9.25% also applies, bringing total lodging taxes to approximately 15–16%.
View full Nashville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Austin | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| City HOT | 11% (9% + 2% venue) | - |
| State HOT | 6% Texas | - |
| New License | $836.30 | - |
| Renewal | $385.30 | - |
| Filing | Quarterly | - |
| Platform Collection | Apr 1, 2025 | - |
| Annual Permit Fee | - | $313 |
| Hotel Occupancy Tax | - | 6–7% + $2.50/night flat fee |
| State + Local Sales Tax | - | 9.25% |
| Total Lodging Tax Burden | - | ~15.25–16.25% + $2.50/night |
| Platform Remittance | - | Airbnb/Vrbo remit state taxes; direct remittance required for other platforms |
| Filing Deadline | - | 20th of each month |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Austin FAQ
What is the total tax rate on short-term rentals in Austin?
11% city HOT (9% occupancy + 2% venue project tax) plus 6% Texas state HOT for stays under 30 days.
Do I still need to file if Airbnb collects the tax?
Yes. Even though platforms remit HOT directly starting April 1, 2025, operators must still file quarterly reports documenting platform-collected amounts.
How much does an Austin STR operating license cost?
$836.30 for a new license or $385.30 for renewal, including the notification fee.
Nashville FAQ
What taxes do I owe on short-term rental income in Nashville?
Nashville STR operators pay a $313 annual permit fee plus a Hotel Occupancy Tax of 6–7% on gross rental receipts plus a $2.50/night flat fee. State sales tax of 9.25% also applies, bringing total lodging taxes to approximately 15–16%.
How much is the short-term rental license fee in Nashville?
Annual Permit Fee: $313. Hotel Occupancy Tax: 6–7% + $2.50/night flat fee. State + Local Sales Tax: 9.25%. Total Lodging Tax Burden: ~15.25–16.25% + $2.50/night.
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