Taxes & Fees: Houston vs La Porte
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Houston, TX and La Porte, TX?
Houston and La Porte have similar restriction levels.
Houston, TX
Harris County
Houston STR operators owe a combined 17% hotel occupancy tax: 6% state, 7% city, 2% Harris County, and 2% Harris County-Houston Sports Authority. Major platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo auto-collect both state and city portions.
View full Houston rules →La Porte, TX
Harris County
Short-term rental operators in La Porte must collect and remit hotel occupancy taxes. Texas imposes a 6% state hotel tax, and Harris County levies an additional hotel occupancy tax. La Porte itself collects a local hotel occupancy tax on lodging stays of less than 30 consecutive days. Operators are responsible for proper tax registration and remittance.
View full La Porte rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Houston | La Porte |
|---|---|---|
| State HOT | 6% | - |
| City HOT | 7% | - |
| County + Sports | 2% + 2% | - |
| Total | Up to 17% | - |
| Auto-Collect | Airbnb & Vrbo | - |
| State Tax | - | 6% Texas hotel occupancy tax |
| Local Tax | - | La Porte hotel occupancy tax applies |
| Threshold | - | Stays under 30 consecutive days |
| Authority | - | Chapter 94 / TX Tax Code Ch. 351 |
| Contact | - | (281) 471-5020 City Hall |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Houston FAQ
Does Airbnb collect Houston hotel tax?
Yes. Airbnb and Vrbo auto-collect both the 6% state and 7% city hotel occupancy tax on behalf of Houston hosts. County taxes may require separate filing.
What is the total tax rate for Houston STRs?
Up to 17% total: 6% state, 7% city, 2% Harris County, and 2% Harris County-Houston Sports Authority.
La Porte FAQ
What taxes do Airbnb hosts pay in La Porte TX?
Airbnb hosts must collect and remit the 6% Texas state hotel occupancy tax, Harris County hotel tax, and the La Porte local hotel occupancy tax. Airbnb may collect state taxes automatically but verify all obligations are covered.
Do I need to register to collect hotel tax in La Porte?
Yes. Short-term rental operators should register with the Texas Comptroller for state hotel tax and with the La Porte Finance Department for local hotel occupancy tax collection and remittance.
Are long-term rentals subject to hotel tax in La Porte?
No. Hotel occupancy tax only applies to stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days. Rentals of 30 days or more are considered long-term and are exempt from hotel occupancy tax.
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