Taxes & Fees: Burlington vs Cambridge
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Burlington, MA and Cambridge, MA?
Burlington and Cambridge have similar restriction levels.
Burlington, MA
Middlesex County
Middlesex County short-term rentals under 32 days must collect the 5.7% Massachusetts state room occupancy excise plus local option taxes up to 6%, community impact fees, and convention center surcharges.
View full Burlington rules →Cambridge, MA
Middlesex County
Cambridge STRs pay a combined lodging tax of approximately 14.95%, including 5.7% state, 6% local, and 3% community impact fee on professionally managed units.
View full Cambridge rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Burlington | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|
| State excise | 5.7% | - |
| Local option | Up to 6% | - |
| Community Impact Fee | Up to 3% | - |
| Convention Center | 2.75% (Cambridge) | - |
| Total (Cambridge) | Up to 17.45% | - |
| State Excise | - | 5.7% |
| Cambridge Local | - | 6% |
| Convention Center Fee | - | 2.75% |
| Community Impact | - | Up to 3% |
| Combined Approx | - | 14.95% |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Burlington FAQ
What taxes apply to my Middlesex County STR?
All stays under 32 days owe 5.7% state excise plus up to 6% local tax, plus a possible 3% Community Impact Fee and 2.75% convention center fee in Cambridge.
Who remits the STR taxes?
The operator or intermediary (like Airbnb) files monthly with the MA Department of Revenue via MassTaxConnect. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit on behalf of hosts in most cases.
Cambridge FAQ
Does Airbnb collect the tax?
Yes, Airbnb and Vrbo typically collect and remit MA lodging taxes but operators stay liable.
What is the community impact fee?
A 3% fee on professionally managed and non-owner-occupied 2-3 family units authorized by Cambridge.
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